Outdoor Electrical Safety

When using electrical equipment or working near power lines outdoors, weather conditions and the presence of utility equipment present safety risks that are not typically found indoors. Therefore, it’s important to operate equipment properly and be aware of potential hazards around you.

Review the following sections before working or playing outdoors:

• Power tools
• Outdoor lighting
• Working near power lines
• Digging near underground lines
  

Guidelines for operating power tools

Follow these guidelines before, during and after operating a power tool outdoors:

• Read the tool's instructions, especially all safety warnings, before use.
• Plug the cord into a three-prong outlet on a three-conductor circuit. This provides the added safety of the neutral-to-ground connection provided by the third wire.
• Inspect the tool after each use, and keep it in good working order. Replace or repair worn or defective equipment immediately.
• Keep the tool clean and store it in a dry place.
• Never use a power tool around flammable liquids such as gasoline or solvents.
• Keep the work area clean of sawdust, shavings or anything else that could pose a fire hazard.
• When using outdoor electrical appliances such as hedge trimmers or edgers, wear sturdy, rubber-soled shoes or boots. Never go barefoot.
• Never use electric tools or mowers in wet areas.

Safely maintaining outdoor lighting

Special care should be given when working with outdoor lighting to prevent injury or potential hazards, especially in wet conditions. All outdoor outlets, lighting fixtures and bulbs should be weatherproof and protected by ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) breakers.

And, don’t forget to turn off outdoor circuits before replacing bulbs or adjusting outdoor lighting.

Take precautions near overhead power lines

Some outdoor activities can put you in close proximity of overhead power lines. Prevent the risk of electric shock by keeping the following in mind when playing or working outdoors near power lines:

• When using a ladder, take care to keep it far from power lines
• Install your satellite dish as far from electric lines as possible, preferably at the opposite end of the house.
• Never let children fly kites, motorized airplanes or drones near power lines. While kites almost always use cotton string, wet cotton string can conduct electricity almost as well as metal string. If a kite gets stuck in a tree, check first to make sure no power lines are nearby before retrieving it. If a kite is tangled in our lines, call our Contact Center.
• When hauling a boat, make sure it clears overhead power lines and stay away from power lines when sailing.
• Don't shoot at or otherwise damage insulators on utility poles. This is extremely dangerous and against the law. Insulators keep electricity from traveling down the pole. If an insulator is broken off or damaged, anyone coming in contact with the pole could be injured or killed.

Additionally, properly selecting and locating trees around power lines is important - not only for safety, but for reliable electric service, too. For more information on planting and maintaining trees near power lines, see How to Select the Right Tree for the Location.

If you see a downed power line, always assume it is live and dangerous. Stay at least 30 feet away and immediately call 911 to report it.