RICHMOND, Va., May 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 2014, Dominion
Energy has received nearly 100 reports of homeowners, private
contractors and individuals accidentally coming into contact with
electrical lines at a home or business. Every incident was
preventable with proper knowledge about the risk of electric
shock.
"Each year, we receive dozens of reports of home improvement
contractors accidentally putting a ladder into a power line while
they are replacing siding or a homeowner coming into contact with a
power line while power washing or painting their home's exterior,"
said Rob Locke, director of safety
& training at Dominion Energy. "What we find in these cases is
that these types of accidents are absolutely preventable and we
want to ensure that our customers know how to stay safe around
electrical equipment."
Contact with an overhead power line can cause serious injury or
death, but you can easily prevent accidental contact with one.
Watch a video about ladder safety here and remember:
- Look up, down, and all around for power lines before using a
ladder; they may be hidden behind tree branches.
- Keep all ladders and tools in the safe zone—at least 10 feet
from power lines. Make sure that if your ladder or tool were to
fall, it would not contact a power line or electrical
equipment.
- Remember that tree branches near power lines can conduct
electricity, especially when wet. Never lean against a tree or tree
branch that is near or in contact with a power line.
- Don't count on a wooden ladder to protect you—wood can still
conduct electricity, especially if it's wet.
- When you're on a ladder, your balance and control are limited.
Be careful if you are handling or working near pipes, conduits,
gutters, antennas or other long objects.
"If you're doing work at your home or business, Dominion Energy
offers a free service to temporary relocate the service drop power
line that feeds your house," Locke said. "Just call us at
866-DOM-HELP and let us know a few days in advance so that we can
send a serviceman out to safely move the wire out of your work
space."
Homeowners, contractors, parents, teachers, first responders and
customers are encouraged to visit our electrical safety resources
page: https://dominionenergy.com/safety/electric-safety.
About Dominion Energy
Dominion Energy (NYSE:D) is one of the nation's largest
producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of
approximately 26,200 megawatts of generation, 15,000 miles of
natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline, and 6,600
miles of electric transmission lines. Dominion operates one of the
nation's largest natural gas storage systems with 1 trillion cubic
feet of storage capacity and serves more than 6 million utility and
retail energy customers. For more information about Dominion, visit
the company's website at www.DominionEnergy.com.
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SOURCE Dominion Energy