Campinas region has 12 power outages per day caused by kites in 2026

Remains of kite attached to electrical wiring Disclosure/Equatorial Goiás The region of Campinas (SP) had, on average, 12 power supply interruptions caused by kites between January and May 2026. This is what the survey by Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz (CPFL) shows, which recorded a 6.5% increase in cases like these in the region. In the first five months of the year, the total number of occurrences in the region went from 1,746, in 2025, to 1,859, in 2026. By city, Campinas led the volume with 277 cases and an increase of 11%. On average, the metropolis had an outage every 13 hours. ? Click here to follow the g1 Campinas channel on WhatsApp Neighboring municipalities also registered an increase in occurrences: in Hortolândia (SP), cases rose from 62 to 101, an increase of 63%; In Sumaré (SP), registrations rose from 61 to 81, an increase of 33%. With the start of the school holidays, CPFL reported that it intensified awareness campaigns to warn about the risks of accidents near the power grid and the danger of using sharp lines — find out more about the risks below. Risks and prohibition The contact of kites with the electrical network can cause short circuits and large-scale shutdowns. The situation becomes more serious when they use cerol or Chilean thread, abrasive materials that also put the lives of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists in direct danger. According to CPFL, there are three main factors that cause the power to turn off in these situations: Short circuit due to humidity: common lines that become tangled accumulate humidity on rainy days, creating an electricity-conducting bridge between the cables. Cutting materials: the use of cerol (a mixture of glue and ground glass) or Chilean line (made with quartz and aluminum oxide), which have very high abrasive power. Cable breakage: when pulled, the armored lines physically saw the aluminum wires, causing energized cables to fall to the ground. ? State Law No. 17,201/2019 prohibits, in the State of São Paulo, the manufacture, sale and use of thread with cerol or Chilean thread. Violators are subject to fines and, in the event of accidents, may be criminally liable. Losses The problem directly affects the population's routine and pockets. In the Nelson Mandela neighborhood, in Campinas, resident Crislaine da Silva said that she has spent the night in the dark after competitions on the street. "The kites cut the wires in our homes, we have no power, no internet", The situation only improved when the community organized to ban the practice there. "Half agrees, half doesn't, but we managed," he said. The lack of energy also punishes commerce. An entrepreneur Clarisse Azuchi reported that she lost products after a long blackout caused by a broken cable. Prevention To ensure safety, the recommendation is that the activity be carried out in open areas, maintaining total distance from poles and substations. CPFL listed guidelines that must be followed by families: Never fly kites near poles, electrical wires or substations; Do not use cerol thread or Chilean thread, as the practice is illegal and puts lives at risk; Prefer open locations away from the power grid; If the kite falls into the power grid, do not attempt to remove it in any way. The last guideline is actually very important. If a kite becomes stuck in the wiring, the public should never attempt to rescue it on their own. The guideline is to use the company's official channels, such as the "Guardião da Vida" app or website, to request safe removal. In case of incidents or emergencies, CPFL Paulista advises residents to contact the company by calling 0800 010 1010 or through the concessionaire's app.