Contact: NOVEC Public Relations, 1-888-335-0500, customerservice@novec.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA – The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative knows springtime means kite flying, balloons, and model airplanes for many children and adults. But, kites, metallic balloons, and model airplanes with metal parts can turn fun into tragedy if they touch power lines.
“Follow safety precautions when flying kites or model planes, or when handling balloons,” warns NOVEC Public Relations Vice President Mike Curtis. “The most important rule is to keep them away from power lines.”
To avoid electric shock or electrocution, and prevent power outages, NOVEC asks children and adults to heed safety guidelines before sending anything aloft.
Kite Flyer’s Code:
- Fly kites in an open field, far away from electric power and transmission lines, roads and highways.
- Use only dry kite string – never wire
- Do not use any metal in a kite.
- Never try to remove a kite caught on a power line or pole. LEAVE IT THERE. Call NOVEC at 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500 for assistance and properly trained personnel with safety equipment may be able to remove it.
- Fly kites in good weather – never in wet or stormy weather
- Keep Mylar and metallic helium balloons far away from power lines. Never release them, because these balloons conduct electricity and can cause electric shock or electrocution. They can cause power outages and fires, and they are a hazard to wildlife.
- Use only dry balloon string – never wire
- Never try to remove a balloon caught on a power line or pole.
- Do not attach metallic ribbon to helium-filled balloons.
- Always attach a weight to helium balloons to prevent them from flying away.
- Do not use any metal parts in the planes. Do not attach metallic tinsel streamers.
- Fly them in open fields, far away from power lines, roads and highways.
- Never try to remove a model airplane stuck on a power line.
