The outage was reported around 2 a.m. and restored about an hour later.
Hawaiian Electric urges the public to hold on tight to metallic balloons during the graduation season now under way. When a loose balloon tangles in a power line, it creates a short circuit that can lead to a power outage.
To minimize the chances of a stray metallic balloon, HECO offers the following tips:
• Always add a heavy weight on the end of the balloon string. If you have several metallic balloons, each balloon should have its own weight.
• At the point of purchase, make sure the retailer has securely tied the ribbon or string to the balloon at the sealing point.
• Use only non-metallic ribbon or string.
• Do not remove the weight until the balloon is properly deflated. The best way to deflate the balloon is to cut the balloon at the knot or sealing point.
• Most importantly, never release metallic balloons into the sky.
If you see a metallic balloon or any object caught in a power line, please leave it alone and call Hawaiian Electric’s trouble line at 548-7961 to report it.
For more information, visit heco.com and click Safety.
See the original article at: KHON2 Developing Stories
