BEING SAFE WITH ELECTRICITY
Five tips that will keep you safe while living or working near electric lines:
- Always assume power lines are live. This applies to power lines on utility poles as well as those entering your home or business. Even momentary contact with a power line can injure or kill. If a line has been knocked down during a storm stay away from it and contact your electric company immediately. Always keep yourself, your equipment and anything you carry at least ten feet from power lines. Even though you may notice a covering on the line, NEVER assume that it is safe to touch. Stay Away! Stay Alive!
- Never stand ladders near power lines. When working on or near ladders, keep all tools, the ladder and anything else you carry well away (at least ten feet) from power lines.
- Keep all cranes, scaffolding and high reach equipment away from power lines. Contact with a power line can cause serious burns or electrocution. Remember to work a safe distance from power lines. When performing construction activities, keep equipment at least ten feet from the power lines and 25 feet from transmission tower lines.
- Keep yourself and others away from fallen power lines. You never know when they might be live. If you see a downed line, call PECO at 1-800-841-4141 or ComEd at 1-800-334-7661 right away and report the location of downed wires. If a line falls on your car, STAY IN THE CAR. If you must get out of the car, jump clear. Do not touch any part of the car and the ground at the same time and stay clear of the fallen line.
- Do not climb or trim trees near power lines. Keep children from climbing trees near power lines. Hire a qualified contractor to trim trees near power lines. If you have any questions about removing limbs or trees near power lines, call PECO at 1-800-841-4141 or ComEd at 1-800-334-7661.
BEING SAFE WHEN DIGGING
Exelon is committed to preventing serious accidents and fatalities that can result when excavators, contractors and others do not use proper care to avoid contact with underground and above ground utility equipment. Our primary concern is safety. For information regarding the location of underground utility equipment, including natural gas pipes and electrical lines, in your neighborhood or work area, you should contact ComEd and PECO before you dig.