May Is Electrical Safety Month
Spring officially started on March 20. Yet, given the unpredictability of Lassen County weather, I never feel safe planting my garden until the beginning of May.
May 1 also marks the start of National Electrical Safety Month. At Lassen Municipal Utility District (LMUD), the safety of our employees and the public is our number 1 priority.
LMUD employees log hundreds of hours of safety training every year, from workplace safety training to emergency pole-top rescue. In addition to our employee safety training, LMUD staff members bring the high-voltage safety demonstration to schools, organizations, and groups throughout our service territory. The free demonstration can be scheduled by calling our Public Relations Manager, Theresa Phillips, at (530) 257-4174.
It’s easy to take electricity for granted. Electricity makes our lives convenient, comfortable, and efficient. However, electricity can be deadly if used improperly or carelessly.
As spring progresses and summer approaches, the chance of an electrical accident increases. Each year, an estimated 150 accidental electrocutions are attributed to consumer products, and nearly 300 people are electrocuted during outdoor activities, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International.
Please be aware of overhead and underground lines as you perform your spring cleaning, planting, or construction projects. Look up for overhead lines and call 811 to identify underground lines. An everyday activity, such as cleaning rain gutters, tree trimming, or digging a trench, can pose an electrical hazard if safety concerns are not heeded.
Ranchers and farmers must be especially diligent in their safety precautions. Moving irrigation pipes can result in tragedy. If a pipe contacts an overhead power line, the person holding the pipe can be electrocuted. Another common safety hazard occurs when burning near utility poles. Dry poles can easily ignite. The flames and smoke can cause lines to arc, resulting in power outages or permanent damage to utility equipment.
LMUD employees are preparing our lines and rights-of-way for summer safety. Crews clear vegetation from around poles and lines. Tree trimmers eliminate the danger of limbs coming in contact with power lines and visually inspect lines and utility poles for potential problems.
You can help us keep our facilities hazard-free by reporting damaged power lines or poles. Our customer service line, (530) 257-4174, is staffed 24 hours, 7 days a week.
As you go about your spring and summer activities, please keep these tips in mind:
- Plant trees at an acceptable distance from distribution lines. Select trees that will grow no taller than 25 feet at maturity.
- Keep landscaping away from padmount transformers. LMUD crews need access to these facilities. Shrubs and bushes can get in the way.
- Be aware of the location of overhead lines, especially when cleaning rain gutters or performing similar activities.
- Never attempt to trim trees that have come in contact with power lines. Call LMUD to deenergize the power lines, allowing you to work safely.
- Summertime is yard sale season, but utility poles are not advertising space. Never attach flyers to poles. Nails, screws and staples pose a hazard to our crews.
Nick Dominguez
General Manager