Popular party decoration caused 4 power outages in Merced County. What to know
With summer celebrations underway, Pacific Gas & Electric Company is warning residents about the safety risks associated with a popular party decoration in California.
“Helium-filled metallic balloons can pose a serious public safety risk if they are not tied to a weight,” PG&E said in a May 14 news release, drifting into overhead power lines and causing outages.
In the first five months of 2026, the utility company saw 100-plus power outages related to the shiny balloons.
Those outages interrupted services to more than 46,000 customers, PG&E said.
Here’s how to display balloons safely and avoid electricity outages:
Why do balloons cause power outages?
Balloons can be made of rubbery latex or durable, flexible polyester film such as Mylar.
Although Mylar doesn’t conduct electricity, shiny metallic balloons made with the plastic material have an external coating that conduct electricity, according to Silicon Valley Power in Santa Clara
“When the balloon’s conductive coating hits the active electrical line, this creates a momentary spike in electricity and short‑circuits the power line, resulting in potential outages, fires and damage to equipment,” Silicon Valley Power said.
Latex balloons can also cause power outages, but these are less common than outages caused by metallic balloons, New Orleans-based power company Entergy Corp. said.
Balloon strings can get wrapped up in power lines, pulling the lines together and resulting in outages.
Floating balloons are filled with lightweigh gases such as helium, according to the National Aviation Academy.
“PG&E typically sees more balloon-related outages during graduation season, which is why the company is urging customers to take a few simple precautions before celebrating outdoors,” the utility company said in the release.
How many outages did balloons cause in Merced County?
According to PG&E, Merced County had four power outages caused by metallic balloons so far in 2026. A total of 842 customers lost electricity, and the outages lasted 11 weeks total.
Other California counties have also seen power outages due to metallic balloons in 2026, the utility company said. For instance, Fresno County experienced 12 balloon-related outages that collectively impacted 2,780 customers for a combined six months, PG&E said, while balloons caused one Stanislaus County outage that affected up to 1,678 customers for 35 days.
Is releasing Mylar balloons against the law in California?
Under California law, it is illegal to release balloons outdoors that are made of electrically conductive material and that are filled with gas that is lighter than air.
Violating this rule for the first time is an infraction punishable by a fine of up to $100.
If you’re caught illegally releasing balloons twice, you could be charged with a misdemeanor.
What should I do if something is caught in a power line?
PG&E encourages people to not use metallic balloons near electric lines and to not bundle them together.
Helium-filled metallic balloons should be tied down to a weight that is heavy enough to stop them from floating away.
“When possible, keep metallic balloons indoors. Never permit metallic balloons to be released outside, for everyone’s safety,” the electric company stated.
You should never attempt to remove balloons, kites or toys that are caught in power lines.
Instead, remain at a safe distance away from fallen power lines, which should be considered energized and extremely dangerous.
If you witness a fallen power line, you can call 911.
This story was originally published June 26, 2026 at 10:02 AM with the headline "Popular party decoration caused 4 power outages in Merced County. What to know."
