Chocolates, flowers and helium-filled metallic balloons are popular Valentine’s Day gifts. Hold tight to those balloons on Feb. 14, though, as they can be a headache for energy companies.

A crew from Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach picked up about 20 balloons on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, most left over from the Valentine’s Day holiday. (Photo courtesy of PMMC) ...

But balloons can be a dangerous headache for humans too. Mylar balloons, prized for their shiny metallic coating, can cause outages and fires if they float into power lines.

Love might be in the air this Valentine's Day, but We Energies is insisting than any balloons celebrating it stay grounded — for the safety of power lines, of course. The warning is silly, but ...

In 2019, these balloons, which have a silver coating, caused nearly 400 power outages, disrupting more than 179,000 homes and businesses in its service area alone, the company announced.

Valentine's Day balloons are displayed at a retail store in Buffalo Grove, Ill., Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. Sappy cards and expensive gifts might be the least of your worries if you’re feeling ...

February sees an increase in balloon outages, due to their popularity as a Valentine's Day gift. In recent years, the company's observed outages due to foil balloons have gone down.

If these balloons are let go and they make contact with power lines, it could cause widespread damage. “Valentine’s and Mother’s Day are our two busiest times of the year,” said Hunaid ...

In 2019, metallic balloons striking electric lines caused 376 power outages in PG&E’s service area, causing outages in more than 179,000 businesses and homes. In 2018 and 2019, FirstEnergy ...

Thirty-five balloons in one day! 😱 Valentine’s Day weekend has quite the impact on our oceans. 💔🌊Let’s show some love to our environment for a change! 😥 #balloons #balloonsblow # ...

FEDERAL WAY, Washington - Sometimes you’re just so full of love, you can’t contain it. But when you show your love with balloons, it may be your car that can’t contain it. That was the scene ...

Extreme Heat Warning Flood Advisory Valentine's Day dilemma: When you have more balloons than you can fit in your car By FOX TV Digital Team Published February 14, 2023 9:37am MST Offbeat & Unusual ...