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When you're working outdoors - on the job or around the house - remember: You shouldn't even get close to power lines.
Accidents can happen to you or someone you care about if you're not careful. Here is some important information to help you avoid electrical accidents at home and at work.
Important safety information about:
Ladders, regardless of what they're made of, can become electrified if brought into contact with electric wires. Even a wooden ladder can conduct electricity. Use caution when you or your contractor are installing siding, painting, cleaning gutters or have any reason to use a ladder outside around your home.
Treat all downed, hanging, or burning wires as though they are "live" or energized. Stay away from them, and be especially attentive to children who might be outdoors if fallen wires are in the neighborhood. Call 911 to report any downed, hanging or burning wires or call your local electric distribution company. If you happen to be in a vehicle and wires are on or near it, stay in your vehicle and tell others not to touch it.
- In Connecticut, call The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) at 1-800-286-2000 (947-2000 in the Hartford area and 1-860-947-2000 open calling from the Meriden area)
- In Massachusetts, call Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) at 1-800-286-2000 (781-4300 in the Springfield area)
- In New Hampshire, call Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) at 1-800-662-7764
Electric wires may be concealed in the trees or shrubs you want to trim. Before start cutting, inspect the area carefully to ensure that it is clear of wires.
Never let children climb utility poles, towers, or trees located near power lines.
Some households use a backup generator to supply them with power during an outage. Proper installation of generators is essential to prevent a house fire and to avoid electricity feeding back into our lines and endangering the life of an unsuspecting line worker.
Follow these guidelines if you are considering buying or using a generator.
1 Before you buy a generator, make sure it's the right size for your needs.
2 Always have a licensed electrician install the generator. You may also need a town permit or an official inspection.
3 The generator must be connected to your home's wiring through a special transfer switch to be sure electricity produced by the generator does not backfeed into our electric lines.
4 Generator exhaust is deadly, so it's important that the unit be vented outside.
If you have any questions, call NU at:
- 1-800-286-2000
- 947-2000 in the Hartford calling area,
- 781-4300 in the Springfield calling area
- 1-603-634-2312 in New Hampshire
| Antennas: |
Before you work on a rooftop television or citizen's band radio antenna, be sure the area is clear of power lines. Install antennas where they won't touch or fall on electric lines. |
| Power Tools: |
Don't use outdoor power tools such as an electric drill, hedge clippers, or an electric mower in the rain or on wet surfaces. Consider installing a ground fault interrupter on outside outlets. |
| Kites: |
Never construct a kite from wire or metal; always use paper or wood. That goes for the tail, too; it should only be made of dry string or cloth. Always keep your kite away from electric power lines and choose a clear, dry day for kite flying. If your kite should get snagged in power lines or in a tree in which lines might be concealed, don't try to free it yourself. Call NU at: 1-800-286-2000 (947-2000 in the Hartford calling area or 781-4300 in the Springfield calling area). |
| Boats: |
Watch for power lines when sailing or bringing your boat ashore. Lower the mast when pulling the boat on a trailer to avoid contact with power lines along the road.
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| Pools: |
Be sure all electrical equipment
for your swimming pool is grounded properly. If you're installing
a pool, have it inspected by your town's electrical inspector when
the job is completed. A ground fault interrupter should be installed
on your pool's electrical equipment. If a fault occurs in the equipment,
the interrupter will instantly cut the power, preventing a serious
electric shock. Do not have any plug-in appliances near the pool.
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