Electricity-related accidents can happen in unexpected ways, sometimes even becoming fatal. Learn how to stay safe around your home and in your community.
Safety At Home
Electricity is used to power almost every appliance in most homes and buildings. It is incredibly useful, but can also be dangerous.
To ensure that you use electricity in a safe manner indoors, stay informed about safe practices, and familiarize yourself with potential hazards in your home.
Safety Outside the Home
Here are four ways you can protect yourself and others from harm:
- Call Before You Dig
- Be mindful of overhead power lines
- Stay away from downed power lines
- Bypass neighbourhood electrical equipment
1 – Call Before You Dig
Before you dig into the ground, be sure to dig up Ontario One Call’s number and call to find out if it’s safe. Power lines are often buried underground and accidental contact can have life altering consequences.
2 – Be mindful of overhead power lines
Did you know that ladders, metal tools, and other equipment can cause electricity from nearby cables to arc through the air and deliver a potentially fatal shock? To prevent catastrophic injury, always look up to make sure you locate all overhead power lines and be sure to keep at least three metres away.
3 – Stay away from downed power lines
If you spot a downed power line, keep one number in mind: TEN – the minimal amount of metres away you need to stay in order to prevent injury (or worse). Power lines that appear inactive can still be energized and deadly!
4 – Bypass neighbourhood electrical equipment
Throughout your neighbourhood, you’re likely to spot substations, hydro poles and pad mounted transformers – locked green metal cabinets – that contain high voltage electrical equipment. Remember to never climb, sit on, or tamper with this equipment which can pose a threat to your safety.
