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CALIFORNIA LAW REQUIRES THAT STEPS BE TAKEN TO PROTECT ELECTRICAL POWER LINES FROM DAMAGE BY FOIL BALLOONS AND OTHER METALLIC BALLOON-RELATED ACCESSORIES. THE FOLLOWING STATES THE PENAL CODE THAT DETAILS THE EXACT WORDING OF THE LAW.
CALIFORNIA FOIL BALLOON LAW
PENAL CODE SECTION 653.1
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(a) |
No person shall sell or distribute any balloon that is constructed of electrically conductive material, and filled with a gas lighter than air without;
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(1) |
Affixing an object of sufficient weight to the balloon or its appurtenance to counter the lift capability of the balloon. |
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(2) |
Affixing a statement on the balloon, or ensuring that a statement is so affixed, that warns the consumer about the risk if the balloon comes in contact with electrical power lines. |
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(3) |
A printed identification of the manufacturer of the balloon.
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(b) |
No person shall sell or distribute and balloon filled with a gas lighter than air that is attached to an electrically conductive string, tether, streamer, or other electrically conductive appurtenance.
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(c) |
No person shall sell or distribute any balloon that is constructed of electrically conductive material and filled with a gas lighter than air and that is attached to another balloon constructed of electrically conductive material and filled with a gas lighter than air.
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(d) |
No person or group shall release, outdoors, balloons made of electrically conductive material and filled with a gas lighter than air, as part of a public or civic event, promotional activity, or product advertisement.
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(e) |
Any person who violates subdivision (a), (b), (c) , or (d) shall be guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00). Any person who violates subdivision (a), (b), (c), or (d) who has been previously convicted twice of violating subdivision (a), (b), (c), or (d) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
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(f) |
This section shall not apply to manned hot air balloons, or to balloons used in governmental or scientific research projects.
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In simple layman’s terms, this means:
All foil balloons in California must be individually weighted to keep them from flying away.
Foil and Latex balloons mixed in a bouquet must be weighed individually to keep them from flying away.
Do not use metallized string or ribbon when attaching a foil balloon to a weight.
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