Summer is fast approaching and as British Columbians migrate outdoors for the season, BC Hydro and Preventable are asking people to think carefully about potential electrical safety dangers that can happen in their own backyards.
Preventable is a BC-based non-profit organisation focused on reducing the number and severity of preventable injuries in the province.
Preventable estimates 95 per cent of all injuries in B.C. are both predictable and preventable. The organisation’s slogan ‘Have a word with yourself’ encourages everyone to take a moment, have a word with themselves and consider their actions to avoid serious injuries.
According to Statistics Canada, approximately 26 Canadians die each year from mishaps with electric currents. The BC Safety Authority reports one person in B.C. died from electrical shock last year.
BC Hydro is reminding British Columbians to be safe outdoors by offering important electrical safety tips:
- Keep ladders away from overhead power lines. Only use ladders on stable surfaces, and have someone hold the ladder to keep it stable when you use it.
- Stay away from tree limbs growing up near power-lines.
- Call BC One Call at 1-800-474-6886 before digging in your yard. The members of BC One Call will send you a site plan showing the exact location of buried facilities or a technician will visit your site and provide physical markings.
- Keep electrical devices away from sources of water.
- Only use an electrical lawn mower when the grass is dry.
Check overhead power lines for clearance from trees and poles. If you need to prune or remove a tree on your property near a power-line or a ground-level transformer box, call BC Hydro first at 1-800-224-9376.
Never approach a downed power line. Always consider a downed line energized and extremely dangerous. If you see one, stay back 10 metres (the length of a bus) and call BC Hydro immediately at 1-888-POWERON.
To learn more about how to be safe around electricity visit: bchydro.com/besafe.
