Outdoor Safety
Whether you are planting fields, landscaping, performing home repairs or participating in some outdoor fun, you should always keep electrical safety in mind. Be sure to remember a few basic safety tips that could save you or someone else's life.

	Lower all equipment before passing near or beneath power lines.
	Have someone spot for you when moving equipment.
	Avoid guy wires and poles.
	Do not raise a ladder or other equipment without first looking up.
	Be careful when adjusting roof antennas.
	When using electrical appliances and tools outdoors, make sure they are properly grounded and that your work area is dry.
	Remind children never to climb utility poles or trees near utility poles.
	Make sure children fly their kites in wide spaces far away from power lines.

Think Before you Dig
Are you considering landscaping your home this year or installing a fence? How about planting some trees or bushes? If you are planning on doing any digging around your house, here are a few things to consider before you dig.

	Be sure that all underground cables have been located and are dearly identified. If you are unsure where the cable is located, contact JULIE at 1-800-892-0123. JULIE is a free notification service that alerts utility companies of planned digging activities in areas with underground utility facilities. So, if you are a homeowner/renter, contractor or excavator planning to dig anytime this year, e.g., putting up a fence or clothesline, planting shrubbery or building a home - CALL JULIE FIRST
	Plant trees at least 20 feet away front overhead power lines and 10 feet away from underground cables and meter installations.
	Check to see how tall and bushy the tree will be at maturity. You may want to consider slow growing or smaller trees if there is a power line overhead. When a tree limb come in contact with power line, it could cause an outage for you and your neighbors.
	Keep shrubs and trees away from transformers and electric meters.
	When trimming trees, avoid contact with power lines.

Considering the electrical facilities when landscaping or building can result in reduced maintenance costs, fewer power outages, faster repairs and more reliable service.