May 10, 2019

May 13-19 is Powerline Safety Week. Halton Hills Hydro is proud to participate with the Electrical Safety Authority in this annual campaign promoting safety and awareness of the dangers of overhead powerlines.

What you can do to stay safe: 8 Powerline Safety Tips:

1. LOCATE POWERLINES. Before you start any yard work or home maintenance outside, locate powerlines when doing any yard work. Be especially aware of powerlines that may be hidden by trees.
2. STAY BACK 3 METRES. You don’t have to touch a powerline to receive a deadly shock. Electricity can jump or “arc” to you or your tools if you get too close. Make sure you stay at least three metres (10 feet) back from powerlines.
3. CARRY LADDERS HORIZONTALLY. Never carry ladders vertically as they may come in contact or close to powerlines. Check for overhead powerlines before setting up the ladder.
4. STAY AWAY FROM DANGEROUS AREAS. Keep away from electrical transmission and distribution lines, and never climb utility poles. If a toy ends up inside a transformer station, call Halton Hills Hydro. Don’t try to retrieve it yourself.
5. CALL OR CLICK BEFORE YOU DIG. Powerlines can sometimes be buried underground. Before you start construction on a deck, fence or other landscaping project, contact Ontario One Call to locate all underground services. 
6. PLANT TREES AWAY FROM OVERHEAD POWERLINES. Avoid the problem now, before trees grow up into the powerlines. If your trees have grown into the powerlines, contact your local utility or a utility arborist. Do not trim trees around powerlines yourself. 
7. WATCH FOR DOWNED POWERLINES. If you see one, stay back 10 metres (33 feet), the length of a school bus, and call 911 immediately.
8. TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT POWERLINE SAFETY. Help them find safe places to play, away from utility poles and powerlines. Remind children never to climb trees near powerlines and make sure they take a close look since leaves and branches can hide the wires. The green transformer boxes on lawns or in parks are also off-limits.

Remember to #RespectThePower. For more powerline safety tips, visit www.esasafe.com.