All I can say is...what have we become?
How about a ban on helium-filled politicians?
If this is true about the ballons causing power outages, I do not see the problem with this bill? In fact I would support it.
I'll wait for the Mythbusters episode before I accept that.
My wife had some from a party but she has tossed them. I wanted to check their conductibility myself.
Sorry, but my BS meter pegged on that one.
EVEN IF the foil is conductive
It cannot span any two lines, except maybe on top of a pole transformer.
It's filled with helium
So it's not likely to land on TOP of a transformer, where most terminals are.
EVEN IF the string is conductive
If it spans two HV lines, it cannot conduct current for more than a few milliseconds before it vaporizes, not likely to trip a breaker anywhere.
Somebody's blowing smoke here.
I do not believe these mylar balloons can short out a power line. They are not big enough. One day we had a dust devil that had picked up some trash in the neighborhood, including an aluminum roofing panel two feet wide and eight feet long. The wind dropped the aluminum panel neatly across both wires of the powerline, and that was most highly amusing.
There were 800 power outages caused by these balloons. How many small businesses suffered lost time or lost computer data? How many hospitals had to go on emergency generators, perhaps risking patients’ safety? How many extra police man-hours did cities have to pay for to provide intersection control and increased patrols? If we’ve learned anything in the last few months, it’s how vital energy is to our economy. If balloons are actually causing this many outages, ban ‘em. Besides, balloons are about as stupid a gift as there is. Takes no thought whatsoever to grab a balloon at the grocery store. A meaningless gesture that is apparently hurting the economy.
When foil helium balloons are outlawed...
This is right up there with the House discussing monkey bites two weeks ago. Nancy Pelosi wasn’t there. Much too beneath her, but....well, what can we say, it’s California. Who do the California Senators have as role models? I rest my case.
Well, CA could force manufacturers to put RFID tags on each balloon, so if it causes a power outage they can track down the manufacturer and /or the retailer AND the customer who bought the balloon, and all would be heavily fined...just kidding (or not???!!! Yikes, these morons would actually try something like that).
People are going to eat the chocolate and throw away the wrapper or until the cup and drink coffee from it.
They should be required to sell a square brick with it. And encourage people to huff the helium so that the balloon never flies away.
Using a hammer to kill a mosquito on your hand. Maybe they should try a public education or warning labels.
Fifteen years ago the People’s Republic of CA banned smoking at Candlestick Park, home of the SF Giants. For those who don’t know, Candlestick was an open ball park in an area of CA where the wind never fell below 20 mph.
By comparison, a ban of tin balloons, which actually cause ocassional damage is positively brilliant, for CA that is.
More info from http://www.oru.com/energyandsafety/safety/metalfoilballoons.html
Metal foil balloons and metallic ribbon conduct electricity, and when they become entangled in power lines or electrical equipment they can cause power outages for large numbers of customers. Some simple safety precautions can minimize the serious danger these decorations pose.
Never Use Metallic Ribbons
Foil/metallic string or ribbon, or other attachments that conduct electricity, should never be used with helium-filled latex or foil balloons, regardless of whether the balloons are for indoor or outdoor use.
Use Balloon Weights
Foil or mylar balloons should be attached to an anchor that is heavy enough to keep them from floating away. Never release helium-filled metal foil balloons into the air intentionally.
Never Group Foil Balloons
All foil balloons should be individually anchored. Clusters of balloons tied together stand a much greater chance of becoming entangled in power lines.
...on our next episode of “Nanny State” we have pending legislation that if you pass gass, you must call Al Gore and warn the atmosphere, or risk a $50 fine.
Nanny State, a new ABC reality show where the Government tells you 100% what to do.
The latest is trans fats in SF; banning cigarette sales in drugstores, no outdoor smoking, helmets, global warming...it never ends.
Its not terrorists lighting fires, its helium balloons. check
Its not terrorists putting fecal Salmonella on America’s food supply, its tomatoes gone bad, then jalapenos. check
Its not terrorists sneaking over the border, its just future voters. check
I agree with the governator that they're not much of a danger and we should not punish people anymore... but...
THEY'RE FAR MORE DANGEROUS THAN OFFSHORE DRILLING, AND FAILING TO DRILL IS A SERIOUS PUNISHMENT TO EVERYONE YOU KOOLAID CHUGGING DIPSH!T.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus