Staying Safe with Electricity

 Electricity makes everyday life more comfortable and convenient. During the safest of times, it should always be handled with care, but in situations including fallen power lines, malfunctioning appliances, or overhead work, taking the right steps for safety can save your life. Stay safe with these tips:

  • Allow only qualified individuals to repair, maintain or operate electrical equipment.

  • Stay away from water when using electrical equipment.

  • Do not touch electric appliances with wet hands or a metal object.

  • Keep electrical cords away from heat sources, pedestrian traffic, and do not place them under rugs or mats where damage can go unnoticed.

  • Don’t try to repair worn or frayed electrical cords: replace them instead.

  • Unplug appliances before washing, making repairs, or when not in use.

  • If an appliance starts smoking or sparking, or if you feel a tingle or light shock when it’s on, stop using it. Discard, repair or replace the device.

  • Don’t pull or yank on a cord to unplug an appliance: grasp the plug instead.

  • Do not overload outlets with too many appliances or lamps.

  • Use outlet safety covers if you have young children.

  • Keep electric heaters a safe distance from furniture, blankets, draperies, and other objects that could catch fire.

  • Never hang clothes to dry on or near your heater.

  • During a power outage, DO NOT connect a portable generator to the SDG&E system, or to a system that has been connected to an SDG&E line.

  • Stay away from overhead electricity lines.

  • If you see downed electric lines or other electric emergencies, call us at 800-411-7343.

  • Never touch a downed electric line: this could cause serious injury or death.

  • Never remove anything caught in electric lines — not even an animal. Call SDG&E immediately at 800-411-7343.

  • Fallen electric lines are extremely dangerous. Report any downed lines immediately to 800-411-7343.

  • Never fly kites and metallic or Mylar balloons near electric lines.

  • If your kite gets caught in an electric line, don’t try to remove it. Call SDG&E at 800-411-7343.

  • Do not cross a road or street while flying a kite.

  • Never fly kites in the rain or during an electric storm.

  • Make sure that kite string, wood, paper, or other kite materials are completely dry.

  • Never use a kite made with wire or metallic materials, including Mylar.

  • Watch where you’re going and don’t touch the lines.

  • Locate underground electric lines before digging. If in doubt, call dig alert at 811.

  • Keep all machinery, equipment, materials, scaffolding, tools, boat masts, fruit-picking poles, antennas, satellite dishes, pool skimmer handles, metal ladders, and people at least 10 feet away from power lines

  • If there’s a power line in your way, call us at 800-411-7343. We may be able to turn off electricity, cover the lines, or even move them while you complete your work

  • Digging, drilling or blasting can damage underground power lines and cause electrocution or fire.

  • To avoid an accident, call our Underground Alert Service at 1-800-227-2600. We’ll send someone to your site to show you exactly where our lines are buried.

 

  • Remain calm.

  • Stay inside your vehicle until emergency help arrives.

  • Warn others to stay away from the vehicle and direct them to call SDG&E.

  • If you must leave the vehicle for safety reasons, jump clear. Do not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time.