This is a great time of year for doing work around the house. As summer brings plenty of sunshine and long evenings to Indiana, you’ll see your neighbors working hard to make their yards and homes look even nicer.

While you’re concentrating on doing a good job, Indiana Electric Cooperatives reminds you to watch for power lines and other electrical hazards around the house. “It’s human nature to be so focused on the project we’re handling that we forget to notice things,” says Rick Coons, CEO at Indiana Electric Cooperatives (IEC). “When it comes to electricity, forgetting to pay attention can be very dangerous.”

Power lines are everywhere and one of the biggest outdoor hazards is so common that many people forget about them. We see them so often that they tend to fade into the background. But when we’re working on any type of overhead project, we need to pay close attention to power lines that may nearby, especially if there’s the possibility that we’ll come in contact with them. Activities that could put you at risk of accidentally coming in contact with power lines include:

• Pruning trees and shrubs.
• Cleaning gutters and downspouts.
• Adjusting TV or radio antennas and satellite dishes.
• Performing maintenance on your roof.
• Putting up a flag pole or posts for athletic equipment.
• Painting or decorating.
• Carrying long lengths of pipe or metal tools.

Another area that deserves special attention is working with ladders. “We don’t think of ladders as dangerous, but they are really one of the biggest hazards around the house,” says Coons. “In addition to the potential of falling off, when you climb a ladder, you’re more likely to come into contact with power lines.”

When working with a ladder, Coons reminds you of several safety considerations:

• Choose a ladder made from non-conductive materials such as wood or fiberglass. You should never use a metal ladder around electricity.
• Always look up when raising a ladder to make sure there are no power lines.
• Match the size of the ladder to the job you’re doing. A ladder that’s too short may make your work more dangerous.
• Ladders are classified by maximum weight. Be sure the ladder you choose can hold your weight (plus anything you’re carrying).

Finally it’s just as important to think about electrical lines under the ground. Homeowners often make risky assumptions about whether or not they should get their utility lines marked, but every digging job requires a call – even small projects like planting trees and shrubs. The depth of utility lines varies and there may be multiple utility lines in a common area. Digging without calling can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm you and those around you and potentially result in fines and repair costs.

IEC urges members who are planning excavation activities to call 811 before beginning a project. One easy phone call to 811, at least two full working days prior to digging, starts the process of getting your underground utility lines marked for free. “Locating underground facilities prior to excavation is mandated under Indiana law” says Coons. “If a member fails to notify Indiana 811 and damages underground electrical lines, he or she will be responsible for the cost of repair in addition to potential fines of up to $10,000.” It’s a simple call that can help avoid serious accidents.

SOURCES: About.com, Direct Energy.