Colorful balloons floating skyward bring back pleasant childhood memories of carefree spring and summer days. When those balloons are made of Mylar™, however, they can cause real headaches for Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. and its customers.

A recent power outage in Williamsport was caused by Mylar balloons drifting into a bank of electrical equipment.

The surface of these shiny, metallic balloons conducts electricity. They can cause an electrical arc or a short circuit when they come in contact with energized power lines or equipment.

There could be safety hazards, too, for people nearby when one of these balloons comes in contact with a power line.

"We don't want to detract from people's enjoyment, we're just asking them to be careful around power lines and electrical equipment," said Don Stringfellow, PP&L community development director for Lycoming and Clinton counties.

If you use Mylar balloons for party decorations, or your children are playing with Mylar balloons, keep them tied down and keep them away from power lines and electrical equipment. If a balloon gets into electrical equipment, don't try to remove it. Call PP&L to take care of the problem.