Electric Safety Tips

Below is some helpful information you may want to keep handy to ensure you and your family are safe and prepared in the event of an outage, downed power line or gas leak.

Tips for Inside the Home

• If you suspect a gas leak, do not operate any electrical switches. To shut off the electricity to your home, turn off individual breakers first, then the main switch.
• During a power outage, turn off major appliances, such as air conditioners or pool pumps, to avoid a drain or power surge when the electricity returns.
• Use a flashlight for emergency lighting—candles can be a serious fire hazard.
• Check that the wattage of all bulbs in light fixtures is the correct wattage for your fixtures.
•  Keep space heaters three feet away from any combustible materials such as bedding, clothing, and draperies.
• If you use a portable generator, run it outdoors and connect it directly to appliances using a heavy-duty extension cord. NEVER connect a generator directly to house wiring, which is extremely dangerous to you, our power crews and can cause a fire. Click here for more safety guidelines.

Power Lines

• Stay clear of downed power lines and anything touching them. Always assume that a power line is live and hazardous.
• Avoid touching anything, such as a car, object or equipment, or anyone who is in contact with a fallen power line.
• Keep children and pets away from fallen power lines.
• Never attempt to retrieve an object that is on or near a power line. Contact Power Dispatch at 626.744.4673 immediately if a balloon or toy is caught in a power line.
• Keep mylar balloons, kites, and remote-control toys far away from power lines to avoid potential power outages, fires, and serious injuries.
• Secure helium-filled mylar balloons with weights to prevent them from coming into contact with power lines.
• Use caution before lifting ladders to avoid accidental contact with power lines.
• Never attempt to trim a tree near a power line. If you see a tree branch or limb that is dangerously close to a power line, call 626.744.7938.

Fallen Power Lines Near Cars

• Never drive over a fallen power line.
• If your car comes in contact with a fallen power line, stay inside. The ground outside the car may be energized.
• Call 911 and wait until responders assure you that it's safe to get out of your car.
• Sound your horn to call for help and to inform others of the potential danger.
• If your car has made contact with a fallen power line and a fire starts, remove loose items of clothing and keep both feet close together while shuffling away from the car.
• Do not pick up your feet or touch the vehicle.