Question: Auwe! I am still seeing so many Mylar balloons at graduation lei-giving and other outdoor celebrations. Don’t people know by now what a hazard they are?
Answer: Electric companies, marine conservationists and many others have spread the message for years that balloons in general and metallic balloons especially (Mylar is a certain type) should never be released into the air intentionally, and should be secured carefully to prevent accidental release. Indoor use is preferred and proper disposal is essential. If they get loose, these balloons invariably return to earth, where the metallic ones can cause power outages, and balloons of any type contribute to litter and marine debris that kills wildlife.
“When marine debris experts were asked to estimate which common litter items posed the greatest entanglement and ingestion risk to seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals, balloons were ranked third after fishing gear and plastic bags/utensils,” according to the website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program, which cited a 2016 report.
The MDP described helium-filled balloons and their attachments (plastic ribbons, plastic valves and plastic disks) as unique forms of pollution because they often are released into the environment on purpose, by people who would never think of tossing a candy wrapper on the sidewalk. The program educates people that “balloon releases” are no way to commemorate a special event; coastal states seem generally better informed about the hazards.
But balloons that fly loose accidentally also are a problem, as you mentioned. Shiny metallic balloons generally are covered with a metalized film that can conduct electricity. When they drift into live power lines, they can cause short circuits that knock out power and create safety hazards, Hawaiian Electric Co. explains on its website.
Mid-May through early June — graduation season — is when this occurs most frequently on Oahu; errant metallic balloons account for the highest percentage of outages during this period. “It takes only one metallic balloon to inconvenience thousands of customers, sometimes leaving them in the dark for hours,” HECO says on its website.
The utility emphasizes that people who buy metallic balloons should never release them into the sky; should use nonmetallic ribbon or string to tie them; should make sure a weight is tied to each balloon; and should deflate and properly dispose of each balloon when the celebration ends.
If you see a balloon caught in an Oahu power line, don’t try to remove it yourself — even if you are the one who let it go. Mistakes happen; don’t compound the trouble by injuring yourself or others. Call Hawaiian Electric’s trouble line at 855-304-1212.
Q: Can I throw CFL light bulbs into the garbage?
A: Yes, because you are an individual homeowner; the rules are different for large commercial users (businesses), according to the city Department of Environmental Services. “Householders may wrap bulbs in newspaper and dispose of them with regular household rubbish, or drop off at the city’s Household Hazardous Waste bimonthly event by appointment,” the department says on its website, www.opala.org.
Mahalo
Some time ago my husband was walking our dog when my husband’s legs got weak and he fell flat on his face. Luckily, he suffered no major injuries. Many thanks to Roger, who happened to be driving home and saw my husband on the ground, unable to get up. Roger went out of his way to help my husband up and brought him and the dog home. Lucky we live in Wahiawa. — Two grateful senior citizens (and a dog)
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
