SRP to Show Dangers of Mylar Balloons at Safety Demo Ahead of Memorial Day and Graduation

WHAT:
Of the hazards that can cause unexpected outages and interrupt reliability, one of the most common are Mylar balloons getting caught in power lines. As graduations, Memorial Day and summer celebrations kick off, join SRP for a live demonstration to see what happens when Mylar balloons and power lines meet and learn how to celebrate safely this summer.

WHEN / WHERE:

• Thursday, May 21, 2026
• 8 a.m.
• East Valley Service Center; 7050 E University Dr. Mesa, AZ 85207

Media planning to attend should contact Elaina Steingard at elaina.steingard@srpnet.com. Closed-toed shoes are required.

VISUALS:

• Interviews with SRP experts
• Demonstrations of Mylar balloons interacting with live electricity in a simulated power line environment.

DETAILS:

• Mylar balloons getting caught in power lines are a common cause of outages across the Valley.
• In 2025, SRP experienced at least one preventable outage per month caused by balloons.
• To safely dispose of mylar balloons, residents should do the following:
  • Use regular string or ribbon to tie balloons. Avoid using Mylar string.
  • Never release balloons into the air: a single balloon can cause outages that impact thousands of Valley residents.
  • Secure balloons directly to weights to ensure they don’t float away.
  • Deflate and puncture balloons before discarding them in trash cans.
  • Never try to retrieve a balloon from an overhead power line and never touch power lines. Call SRP at (602) 236-8888 to notify us of if you see an object caught in a power line.