At work or play, stay safe outdoors when electricity is around.
Here are six tips to keep you from harms way:

Keep clear of power lines

• When power lines are nearby, use wooden or fiberglass ladders, not metal.
• Never place a ladder where it can fall into a power line.
• Carry ladders or long-handled tools low enough to avoid coming into contact with overhead lines.
• Do not install an antenna where it might fall and hit a power line.

Check out your equipment

• Keep all electrical appliances a safe distance away from water and do not use power tools when standing in wet areas.
• Never use a an electric mower when the grass is wet.
• Power tools should be properly grounded, and only use heavy-duty extension cords rated for outdoor use.
• Make sure outdoor electrical outlets are grounded and have weatherproof covers.

Landscape with care

• Call before you dig. Your utility can tell you the location of any underground lines.
• Do not plant tall-growing trees under power lines. If you have a tree with power lines running through it, do not climb it or build anything in it. Call if the tree needs trimming.
• Keep bushy shrubs away from your meter.
• Never cut or trim a tree that is near overhead power lines.

Avoid substations and transformers

• Instruct your children to stay away from utility substation fences and pad-mounted transformers.
• If you see a substation fence or transformer cabinet that has been vandalized, call your utility company immediately.
• Teach children to look for DANGER signs displayed on all high voltage equipment.

Fly with safety

• Never fly kites or model airplanes near power ines. It is also important never to use wire or metal on kites --- only dry string.
• Do not release metallic balloons. They can get caught inpower lines and cause outages.
• Let the utility untangle kites or balloons that do get snagged on overhead lines. Don't try to do it yourself.

Leave downed power lines alone

• If you come across a downed power line, call the utility immediately. DO NOT GO NEAR IT.
• If a power line falls on your car, stay inside unless the car catches fire. In such a case, jump clear of the car without touching metal and the ground at the same time.
• If someone comes in contact with a live outdoor power line, the only safe thing to do is call the utility company immediately so the power can be turned off. NEVER ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE VICTIM OR THE POWER LINE.