Mylar balloons blamed for recent increase in Metro East power outages

Balloons popular for birthday parties and graduation celebrations are being blamed for at least three power outages in the Metro East since April. Each outage affected more than 1,000 customers.
“I was just sitting here and all the electric went out. My computer went out and everything," said Jim Litchfield, owner of Big Jim's Autorama in Madison, Illinois.

[@ejonesss]

even non metal balloons can pose a problem because the helium can ionize and at 15000 volts or more once the gas ionizes it can complete the arcing process causing the power outage.

[@tomkay5771]

Foil balloons are awesome you can literally sit on them and they won't pop

[@Greyteam4291]

Takes hours to remove balloons?
I have a pellet gun you can borrow

[@jvw314]

Lmao right

[@Greyteam4291]

@Jo Ralu i told you before, shut off the engine when you're stealing catalytic converters. The exhaust fumes are having a terrible effect on you.

[@stephenswift5531]

Baloney