July 31, 2024

Summer is a busy time of year for landscaping, painting and performing other outdoor activities. If completing home improvement projects is on your to-do list, make sure you check for overhead power lines and other electric equipment before you start your next outdoor project.

“Always be aware of where power lines are located, particularly if you are performing overhead work like trimming trees or cleaning gutters,” said Jamie McMullen, Public Safety Consultant. “Pole saws and ladders can conduct electricity, and the safest way to avoid danger is to keep far away from energized wires and electrical equipment.”

Before performing any outdoor activities, Jamie encourages employees to follow the advice given by FirstEnergy’s safety spokesperson Max Safety – Stop. Look. Live.

• STOP what you’re doing to consider your personal safety before working or playing around power lines or electrical equipment.
• LOOK around for potential hazards and ways you might come into contact with electrical equipment and identify a way to avoid the hazard.
• LIVE and prevent serious injury or death by taking precautions to avoid accidental contact with electrical equipment. There is nothing more important than your safety.

Here are some other safety tips that can help protect you and your family when working or playing outdoors:

• Keep yourself and anything you are touching – including ladders, tree trimming equipment, kites, metallic balloons and flying toys – at least 10 feet away from neighborhood power lines and at least 100 feet from high-voltage transmission lines.
• If you see a downed power line, stay at least 30 feet away. Always assume downed wires are energized and dangerous. Report them immediately by calling 911.
• Never fly kites, motorized airplanes or drones near power lines. Although kite strings are usually made of cotton, wet cotton string can conduct electricity as well as metal string.
• Never attempt to retrieve any type of object that gets caught in a power line or drifts or crashes into a substation. Leave the item and immediately call FirstEnergy at 888-544-4877 to report the issue.
• Never climb trees that are growing near or into overhead lines or near a utility pole. Also, never climb utility poles or other electrical infrastructure, particularly transmission towers or substation fences. These activities are extremely hazardous and can result in very severe injuries.
• When hauling a boat, make sure it clears overheard power lines, and stay away from power lines when sailing.

More safety information is available at www.firstenergycorp.com/safety.