Getting your outdoor cleaning done safely

(NC) Before rolling up your sleeves and heading outside, it’s important to pause and look up. Outdoor yard work can bring people closer to powerlines, an often-overlooked risk that can have serious consequences.

According to the Electrical Safety Authority, between 2020 and 2024, deaths caused by powerline contact at home or in recreational settings increased by 29 per cent compared with the previous five years. There have also been more reported overhead powerline contacts from tree-related incidents.

Here are some important safety tips when tidying up near powerlines:

Give powerlines at least three metres of space

You don’t need to touch a powerline to receive a deadly shock. Electricity can arc or jump to a person or nearby tools if they come too close. Before tackling jobs like cleaning eavestroughs or trimming trees, remember to stay at least three metres away from overhead powerlines—about the length of a 10-step ladder or two broomsticks.

Watch for downed lines after seasonal storms

Fallen branches and storm debris can conceal downed powerlines, creating a deadly hazard during cleanup. Stay at least 10 metres back, about the length of a school bus, and always assume a downed line is live. If you encounter one, keep yourself, pets and others away and contact 9-1-1 and your local utility. Never try to move the line yourself.

Be alert

It can be easy to get distracted when moving from one chore to another. But it’s important to be aware to keep you or your tools from coming too close to powerlines as you move around the yard. A good rule to remember is to always carry ladders and long tools horizontally.

A few extra moments can help you stay safe during spring cleanup. For more information on safe yard work near powerlines, visit esasafe.com/powerlinesafety.

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