Company offers safety tips for those working near electrical equipment

October 1, 2009 -- Distributing energy to homes and businesses requires utility equipment to be a part of our everyday surroundings. National Grid reminds its customers to stay safe while working or playing outdoors by keeping clear of electric facilities.

“It is important to remind people often that contact with overhead and underground power lines as well as natural gas lines can cause serious injury or even death,” said Chad Martin, National Grid Vice President of Safety, “Never work or play in any area where there is danger of directly or indirectly contacting utility lines.”

National Grid offers the following tips to be aware of when around electrical facilities:

• A common belief is that the covering on some electric wires protects a person from shock. This is not true. The covering only protects the wires from weather. Many wires are bare with no weather protection. Treat all overhead wires as live and carrying electric current.

• Never climb an electric tower or pole, or any tree that is near electric lines.

• Never climb a fence around an electric substation. It is a criminal act and substations contain high-voltage electricity.

• Kites, model airplanes, and other toys should be flown only in open spaces, far from any trees and power lines. If a toy gets tangled in a power line, the safest thing to do is leave it there and call National Grid 1-800-465-1212 in New England or at 1-800-867-5222 in Upstate New York.

• Don’t stand under a tree or a pole during an electrical storm. Lightning always seeks the easiest route to the ground; don’t let it be you.

• If a wire falls on your car, stay inside until trained professional help arrives. Serious injury or death can occur by contacting both the vehicle and the ground.

• Never touch a downed power line or anything such as a tree limb or fence that is in contact with a downed line. If you see a person injured near fallen wires, do not touch the victim or attempt to move the wires. Call the fire department and 1-800-465-1212 in New England or at 1-800-867-5222 in Upstate New York.

Tips to consider in and around your home:

• Avoid touching power lines with any part of your body or with a ladder. Metal parts and moisture conduct electricity, so don’t use an aluminum ladder or a damp wooden ladder within 10 feet of power lines Before erecting a ladder, always look up to be sure it will not contact -- or even come close to -- any power lines. Always carry ladders horizontally and keep them away from power lines.

• Don’t use power tools or any other electric devices while standing on a damp floor or wet ground. Be sure equipment is properly grounded. If the power tool is damaged, you could receive a fatal shock.

• Before plugging in an extension cord, check to see if the insulation is cracked or frayed. If damaged, replace it with a new cord. Indoor extension cords are not safe to use outdoors.

• For an added measure of protection, install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) on all outdoor electric outlets. They will help to prevent shock injury.

• Before installing a new antenna, satellite dish, or any rooftop appliance, be certain it will be clear of all power lines. The antenna must be firmly secured to the roof and braced by guy wires to withstand high winds. These rooftop devices can form a deadly path for electric current.

Digging Tips

• Customers, construction contractors and landscapers should check with the experts at least three week days in advance of digging to determine the precise location of underground lines and facilities. Personal injury, property damage and service interruptions can result from accidental digging into electric, gas, telephone, water, sewer or cable lines and sources. In Upstate New York, call “Dig Safely New York®” at either 811 or 1-800-962-7962. In Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, call “Dig Safe®” at either 811 or 888-344-7244. For more information, visit www.digsafe.com.

• Never permit anyone to dig near your underground energy sources, which usually run in a straight line from the transformer or connection box to the meter.

• Do not plant trees, bushes or shrubs near a transformer or a natural gas line.

• Never allow children to play or dig anywhere near underground electric or natural gas lines.

• Once underground utilities have been marked with paint or flags, do not disturb the markings until the project is complete.

For more information related to energy safety, visit National Grid’s website at www.nationalgridus.com.

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.