APS Offers 10 Electrical Safety Tips

March 5, 2009

Over the next few weeks, scores of Arizona children will embark on their annual spring break from school. Usually, this means lots of time spent at the pool, in the back yard or at the park. While most think of electrical safety as it relates to inside the home, it's just as important when venturing outdoors.
 
"Accidental electrical contact can mean injury, burns or even death," said Dave Shockley, a public safety consultant with APS. "We ask all of our customers to encourage their children to take absolutely no chances with electricity. One accident simply is one too many."

APS offers 10 tips to help you and your children stay safe around electricity when outdoors:

1. Never use electrical equipment or power tools near a pool or other wet areas.
   
   
2. Look up. Be aware of overhead power lines. Always look up for the location of power lines when carrying or setting up a ladder or using a long-handled pool-cleaning tool. People bringing sailboats out of storage should be careful about extending the mast into power lines.
   
   
3. Call before digging. If you are beginning an outdoor project where digging is required, make certain you first determined the location of all underground facilities before you dig. In the Phoenix metropolitan area, call the Blue Stake Center at (602) 263-1100 (1-800-STAKE-IT state-wide) at least two working days before you dig. Dialing 811 will take callers to the nearest Blue Stake Center. The service is free.
   
   
4. Have help when venturing on the roof for any reason. Never get yourself, tools, materials and/or equipment closer than 10 feet from any overhead power lines.
   
   
5. Fly kites and model airplanes in open areas well away from trees and power lines. Never use any metallic material in your kite or string, and avoid releasing Mylar balloons into the air.
   
   
6. Inspect power tools and electric lawn mowers for frayed power cords, broken plugs and cracked or broken housings. If the product is damaged, stop using it and have it repaired immediately. All tools should be unplugged when not in use and stored in dry areas.
   
   
7. Use caution when trimming trees. Before attempting any tree pruning, look for overhead power lines that may be near and/or hidden by the tree foliage. If there are any concerns with overhead power lines and trees on your property, contact APS prior to attempting any tree work.
   
   
8. Do not plant vegetation or construct any permanent structures directly in front of underground electrical equipment devices. Not only are there numerous underground facilities located by these devices, APS employees need safe access to work on these devices during unplanned outages and routine maintenance.
   
   
9. Never use electric-powered mowers on wet grass. Use an extension cord designed for outdoor use and rated for the power needs of your mower.
   
   
10. Treat all electric lines with caution and respect. Even low-voltage electric lines and cords can be hazardous if damaged or improperly handled.

More information on public safety is available. Any questions can be directed to APS at (602) 371-7171 in the Phoenix metro area, or (800) 253-9405 statewide.

APS, Arizona's largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves about 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state's 15 counties. In 2008, APS won its second Edison Award in recognition of innovative leadership and operational excellence in the electric industry.  Given annually by the Edison Electric Institute, the Edison Award is considered the industry's most prestigious honor. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).

Damon Gross, APS Media Contact
(602) 250-2269 (Office)