Springtime Electric Safety Tips for PG&E Customers

PG&E Shares Information to Keep the Season’s Outdoor Activities Safe for All

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As Californians begin to celebrate all things spring, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is offering a few simple tips to help customers keep outdoor electrical safety in mind:

• Look up: Use caution when lifting tall objects near overhead power lines around the house. Keep your body, long-handled tools, saws, ladders, pool tools, lumber and anything that reaches above your head at least 10 feet away from overhead powerlines.
• Keep away: Keep balloons, kites and toys like remote-control aircraft away from overhead electric lines. Never attempt to retrieve any object that is caught in a powerline. Leave it alone and contact PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to report the problem immediately.
• Grill safely: Always grill out in the open, away from overhead powerlines, buildings, decks and low tree branches. Also, to keep flames under control, never add charcoal starter fluid if the coals have already been ignited. Keep a fireproof pan under your grill to catch any falling ash or grease. You can also trim excess fat from meat to avoid flare-ups, and always be ready to close the lid and turn off the grill in case of an emergency.
• Call for help: April showers bring May flowers, but these spring storms can also bring down electric lines. If you come across a downed electric line, always assume that it is energized and extremely dangerous. Never go near a damaged powerline that dangles in the air or has fallen to the ground. Be sure to remain a minimum of 30 feet away on a dry surface and 60 feet away on a wet surface. Keep others away and contact 911 and PG&E immediately.
• Call 811 before you dig: If you are planting a digging project, even one as simple as planting a tree or installing a fence post, call 811 or go visit 811.org for a USA ticket three working days before digging to avoid digging into electric or gas lines beneath the ground and disrupting service in your neighborhood. 811 is a free and easy service that notifies utilities to come to your home and mark the approximate location of their underground facilities in the excavation area.
• Safe plugs and cords: To prevent the risk of electrical shock, avoid overloading electrical outlets, power strips and extension cords with too many devices and appliances. Replace damaged electrical cords and equipment or have them repaired by a qualified electrician or repair center to avoid the risk of electrical shock.
• Child safety: Talk to children about the dangers of tampering with electrical outlets; childproof outlets with plastic protectors or covers in homes with young children, toddlers or infants.
• Go with GFCI: Use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection on all electrical outlets located near water sources such as bathrooms, kitchens, fountains and swimming pools to reduce the risk of electrocution.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.