01 Jul
Summer’s longer days and warmer weather mean increased activity at your home. With that increased activity, though, often comes increased safety risks. Intermountain Rural Electric Association wants you to enjoy your summer and protect yourself and your family by following these guidelines regarding electric facilities:
• Do not climb trees near power lines, even if they aren’t touching the lines. Drones, kites and model aircraft should not be flown near power lines or other structures such as substations. Never climb utility poles or towers, and don’t allow children to play on or near pad-mounted equipment.
• Always call 811 before any project that includes digging, as you can never assume the location or depth of underground utility lines. Failure to have trained professionals properly mark underground lines can result in serious personal injury and even death, and makes you responsible for any damage to utility lines.
• Carefully plan any landscaping projects so that growing vegetation will not interfere with IREA’s electrical facilities. Shrubbery and other plants can grow to completely cover transformer boxes and other equipment, creating problems for repair crews and causing potential service interruptions. You can read our guidelines for plant materials by visiting www.irea.coop/customer-tools/irea-your-property/.
• Take extra precautions when working on DIY and other improvement projects in and around your home. Be aware of overhead lines when you use a ladder or other extended hardware, staying at least 10 feet from lines at all times, and never trim trees or other vegetation near power lines. Instead, call IREA at (800) 332-9540 to report any potential hazards involving vegetation and our structures or facilities.
• Place swimming pools and other water-filled containers at least 5 feet from underground utility lines, and at least 25 feet from overhead power lines. For water features such as waterfalls and ponds, follow the aforementioned guidelines regarding digging and vegetation.
You can find more detailed safety recommendations by visiting www.SafeElectricity.org. If you have any specific questions or concerns about IREA’s service or facilities, call us at (800) 332-9540.