- As part of the Safe Kite Campaign, Enel Distribución encourages the community to fly kites in open areas away from electrical lines. This aims to prevent accidents and power outages that could impact thousands of customers.
Santiago, August 31, 2026 - Kite flying, a key part of Independence Day traditions, often causes accidents when near electrical infrastructure, risking safety and service continuity. From January 2024 to July 2026, over 1,300 incidents involving kites touching electrical networks were reported. These accidents follow a seasonal trend, peaking in September.
During this period, the company received over 6,000 customer requests due to outages caused by kites getting tangled in the electrical infrastructure. The duration of service disruption varies by network type, but on average, restoring service takes more than two hours.
Maipú, Pudahuel, and La Florida are the neighborhoods with the most accidents, though these cases are fairly evenly spread throughout the Metropolitan Region.
“National Holidays are a time for family celebration but also a chance to promote safety. A kite touching power lines can lead to serious accidents and outages impacting entire communities. Therefore, it's important to only fly kites in open, safe areas away from electrical lines”, Javiera Muñoz from Enel Distribución pointed out.
Guidelines for safe practices
- Use only cotton thread.
- Avoid using cured or nylon thread.
- Avoid using metal or aluminum foil when making the kites.
- Fly kites solely in open spaces, staying clear of power lines.
- Avoid trying to recover kites that are entangled on wires, poles, towers, or trees close to electrical equipment.
- Always ensure adult supervision whenever children are involved.
The company also advises that helium-filled metallic balloons can create short circuits if they contact electrical networks, so they recommend avoiding using them near distribution infrastructure.
Enel Distribución, through its Safe Kite campaign, emphasizes its commitment to people's safety and reliable service. It also encourages the community to celebrate Independence Day responsibly and safely.