THE MESSAGE DELIVERED TODAY(WED) BY PNM DURING A BALLOON ACCIDENT RE-CREATION WAS ALL ABOUT SAFETY WHEN DEALING WITH BALLOONS CAUGHT UP IN POWER LINES. THE MAIN MESSAGE…DON’T TOUCH ANYTHING CONNECTED TO A BALLOON THAT’S WRAPPED IN POWER LINES AS IT CAN CAUSE A CHAIN REACTION THAT CAN INJURE THOSE ON THE GROUND AND THOSE IN THE BALLOON GONDOLA.
PNM SAYS ELECTRICITY SEEKS THE NEAREST PATH TO THE GROUND, AND SOMEONE TOUCHING THAT BALLOON CAN COMPLETE THE LINK TO THE GROUND. THE UTILITY SAYS THERE’S NO WAY OF KNOWING IF A POWER LINE IS CARRYING ELECTRICITY OR IS NOT ENERGIZED.
PNM SAYS ITS CREWS ARE TRAINED ON HOW TO HANDLE THESE KINDS OF SITUATIONS AND CAN RESPOND QUICKLY AND SAFELY TO ANY BALLOON THAT FLOATS INTO POWER LINES.
