Valentine’s Day Warning—
Colorful and eye-catching Mylar balloons are a popular way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. However, they come with a warning and some precautions. These foil or metallic balloons, coated with a polyester film called Mylar, can spark electrical fires or cause power outages. The shiny balloons are blamed for more than 500 outages across Central, Coastal, and SoCal last year, according to Southern California Edison.
Four years ago, a Mylar ordinance took effect in the Media City. The ordinance prohibits the sale of Mylar balloons filled with helium or any lighter-than-air gas. Nevertheless, Mylar balloons may be sold if they are filled with air only and are either weighted or mounted to a structure at the point of sale.
California will start phasing out these balloons in 2028, with a total ban taking effect in 2031, under Assembly Bill 847. After the state legislature passed it, Governor Gavin Newsom signed it into law back in September of 2022.
Some safety tips for handling Mylar balloons:
- Never detach the Mylar balloon from its weight or mount, whether indoors or outside.
- If possible, keep them indoors to prevent them from going near electric lines.
- Never release them into the air.
- To dispose of it, puncture the balloon several times. Once deflated, it can be dumped into the trash.
