General

Balloons, kites and … trampolines? How to keep them out of power lines

OPPD troubleshooters sometimes find things tangled in power lines: tree branches, shoes, lawn decorations, foil balloons, kites and yes, even trampolines.

A quick search online will reveal dozens of videos where foil, or mylar, balloons have interfered with power lines. Their metallic coating conducts electricity, which can cause an explosion and fire, or even cause an entire neighborhood to go dark. Proper handling and disposal of the balloons ensures they won’t cause a problem. But first:

Trampolines? Yep

Were you surprised to see trampolines in the above list of things that can become tangled with power lines?

If a trampoline is not properly staked into the ground, a windstorm or thunderstorm can blow it into power lines.

And because trampolines are made with aluminum, removing them safely from lines can be tedious. When a line technician encounters a trampoline in a line, they often end up cutting it in half.

Here are some tips for properly grounding the trampolines so they don’t become airborne:

• Install u-shaped wind stakes over the base of the trampoline and into the ground.
• Purchase a trampoline anchor kit, which often includes steel augers and adjustable nylon straps.
• Consider using sandbags, which are a low-cost option. When laid on top of each leg of the trampoline, they provide enough weight to hold it down. Sandbags are a good option if you want to forego anchoring your trampoline into the ground.

How does it work?

When a foil balloon or trampoline, which have metal components, touches a power line, it can cause a surge of electricity that shorts out circuits or other electrical equipment near the line. These shorts can cause fires and outages.

One OPPD troubleshooter said balloons are the equivalent of tossing an aluminum foil ball into a power line. Troubleshooters often encounter the balloons after they have become tangled in higher voltage transmission lines.

Sometimes, a foil balloon can sit among the power lines and not cause a fault or outage. But when a line technician tries to remove it, the balloon could move and short out the circuit. In some instances, the same balloon can trip a circuit over and over again.

Handling balloons

• Keep balloons tethered at all times and attached to a weight so they don’t float away.
• When you’re done with the balloons, puncture and deflate them before disposal.
• If a balloon becomes entangled in an overhead power line, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RETRIEVE IT. Call OPPD at 402-536-4131 in the Omaha area or 877-536-4131 outside of the metro area for help. Always assume power lines are energized.

Go fly a kite – safely

• Don’t fly kites near power lines or electrical facilities.
• If your kite goes near a power line or electrical facility, let go of it. Your safety is more important than chasing a kite into a dangerous environment.
• If your kite gets tangled in a power line, NEVER attempt to remove it. Contact OPPD.
• Avoid flying kites that contain parts made of metal or wires.
• Don’t allow children to fly kites without adult supervision. A stiff gust of wind can easily cause them to lose control of the kite.