Electrical Safety Around The Home

Electricity travels the path of least resistance. If you come in contact with electricity, it can pass through your body, causing serious injury or death. Knowing what to do and what not to do around power lines can save lives – even yours!

Here are a few simple precautions that can help you be safe around electricity.

Using Electricity Safely Around the Home

LadderDon’t Overload Circuits. Overloaded electrical circuits are a major cause of home electrical fires. To prevent them, never use extensions cords or mutli-outlet converters for appliances, and only plug one heat-producing appliance into a receptacle at a time.

Look Up. When carrying ladders, working on your roof, or installing any kind of antenna (TV, radio, CB) at your home, be sure there is adequate clearance between the antenna and overhead power lines. The minimum clearance recommended is 10 feet or twice the antenna height, whichever is greater.

Stay Dry. Keep electrical equipment away from pools, spas and wet surfaces. Don’t touch any electrical appliance or tool if you are wet or touching water.

Let Us Trim Trees. Tree limbs, tools and ladders touching power lines can electrocute you. Before you prune, trim or cut down trees near overhead electrical lines, call us at (503) 397-1844.

Call Before You Dig. Underground power lines might be buried as shallow as 18 inches. If your shovel cuts a power line, electricity could pass through the shovel, injuring you. That’s why you should Call Before You Dig to locate any buried lines in the area.