Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the mayor of Alameda. For contact information and other details, visit bit.ly/mayorashcraft online.

Violations are punishable by fines up to $1,000, but council members stressed their intent to phase out the practice of releasing foil balloons for birthdays, graduations and memorial gatherings ...

New Orleans is expected to join a growing number of places across the U.S. banning outdoor Mylar balloon releases, which have been known to cause power outages and harm wildlife.

WATCH: Mylar balloon meets power line in controlled explosive demonstation City of New Orleans reminds revelers of confetti cannon, foil balloon release bans. By Maddie Kerth.

The foil balloons — you can typically find them at any grocery store — are conductive. That means they will form an electric pathway and cause explosions if they hit a power line.

Councilman Eugene Green agrees things like this are preventable, he said, "I think it's reasonable to think about a limitation on or elimination of the use of Mylar balloons because of what we ...

They resemble foil balloons, make a crackling sound when slipped on and, for a growing number of people, have become a simple luxury. Listen to this article · 3:59 min Learn more.

You see Mylar balloons released into the sky during a memorial service, sometimes one may slip away from your grip on the way to a party. Dr. Robert Thomas says these balloons can cause a slew of ...