Neighborhood Electrical Safety

When thinking about your home or neighborhood, chances are you will not be thinking about the power lines. It is easy to overlook their presence, as power lines reside high above your roof, can run alongside property lines or near trees. Nevertheless, power lines can pose serious electrical hazards if completely forgotten.

Trees can be a power lines worst enemy. Strong winds and storms can blow trees over or break branches pulling power lines down from poles or supporting towers. It is possible for the line to remain energized and potentially electrify the tree and nearby objects.

Arcing or flashovers between power lines and trees can also cause potential damage or danger. Additional weight from snow and ice can bend or break tree branches bringing them close enough to power lines to cause an arc or flashover.

A voltage surge on a power line from a nearby lightening strike can cause a tree to become “electrified” as well.

During warm weather or when power lines are carrying heavy electrical loads, they can heat up and stretch, making the lines longer. Thus, power lines can sag as much as 15 or 20 feet bringing them even closer to trees. The electric current caused by arcing or flashovers between power lines and trees can easily injure or even kill an individual caught nearby.

It is important to pay attention to power lines in your neighborhood. Below are some tips to consider for power line safety in your neighborhood:

• Make sure to always look for nearby power lines before you begin to cut down any tree or trim branches. If a tree falls into a power line, contact your local electric co-op.

• Treat all power lines as energized. Never climb or attempt to handle a tree that has a limb caught in a power line. You may not see any visible evidence that the tree is “electrified” or dangerous.

• Make sure to maintain required clearances between equipment and power lines.

• If a fire starts from a fallen power line, notify the fire department and your local electric co-op. Stay away from the site of the electrical hazard. Make sure others stay clear of the line and treat it as energized.

• Do not use water on or near the fallen power line.

In addition to taking the necessary steps to respond to an electrical emergency, you can help stop potential power line problems before they start by practicing these safety measures:

• If you notice anything such as trees or branches that might interfere with power lines or pose a serious threat, inform your local electric co-op.

• If you are planning to plant trees on your property, make sure not to plant them directly under or near power lines.

Shrubs, hedges and other plants should be kept clear of electric towers and poles.