Electric Safety Tips
Be Safe. Be Smart.
Learn essential electricity safety tips to protect your home and workplace. Discover how to handle electrical hazards, prevent fires, and ensure safe usage of electrical devices to keep yourself and others safe.
Review Our Electricity Safety Tips
Look Up and Live: Overhead Power Line Safety
- Before starting an outdoor project, survey the work area. Be aware of all utility lines above and below. Pennsylvania law requires that you call PA One Call (dial 8-1-1) at least three business days in advance of any digging project.
- Don’t take any chances when working near power lines. Always use good judgement and maintain a safe distance of at least 20 ft. Contact UGI or the area’s utility company in order to establish a safe zone when working near power lines.
- Keep machinery away and maintain continuous contact with a dedicated ‘spotter’ to comply with electric line clearance requirements. If operating a crane and/or derrick near a line, do not try to guide a load and spot at the same time. Use other methods, such as marking the location of the overhead lines on the ground, and alert all others working nearby of markings.
- Never touch power lines. Always presume lines are energized and dangerous no matter what they look like. Contacting a power line with your body, ladder, pole, rope, scaffolding, etc. can result in serious injury or death. When carrying long or tall materials, hold items parallel to the ground to avoid overhead contact.
- Never attempt to retrieve anything that is on or near a power line. Keep kites, helium-filled balloons, and remote control aircraft away from overhead electric lines to avoid potential power outages, fires, and serious injuries. If a balloon or toy is caught in a power line, do not attempt to retrieve it yourself. Contact UGI immediately at 800-276-2772.
- If equipment makes contact with a power line, the operator should remain inside the cab until power lines have been de-energized. However, if the equipment is on fire, the operator should jump away from the equipment. Keep feet tightly together as a single contact point and hop away. Never touch the ground and equipment at the same time. Call 9-1-1 and UGI to get emergency personnel on the way. Keep away from all elements near the line, since all elements may be energized.
Fallen Wires
- Assume that wires are energized and don’t touch them.
- Stay away from fallen wires and warn others to keep away.
- If you encounter fallen wires, call UGI immediately at 800-276-2772 and contact the police.
- If a wire is touching your vehicle, stay inside.
- If your car catches fire, it is important that you leave the vehicle immediately. Because metal conducts electricity, don’t touch the car’s metal and the ground at the same time. Jump clear of the vehicle, and shuffle or bunny hop away from the vehicle a minimum of 30 feet.
Indoor Electrical Fires
- Without touching the appliance, unplug it or turn off the electrical supply.
- Use a Class C-rated fire extinguisher, if available.
- If you do not have the proper fire extinguisher, throw baking soda on the fire.
- Never use water on an electrical fire. If necessary, call your fire department.
Portable Generators
- When using a generator, always follow manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation. Improper use of portable generators can lead to electrical fires or poisonous carbon monoxide gas.
- Never use a generator indoors, including a garage or basement, or in any enclosed space. Always operate generators outside in a well-ventilated area.
- Always use proper power cords and be sure your generator is properly grounded.
- Do not overload the generator by operating more equipment than the generator’s output rating.
Light Bulbs
- Be sure to turn off light switches when you change a light bulb.
- To avoid fire through overheating, use only bulbs of the appropriate wattage for the fixture.
- Dispose of old LED, CFL (compact fluorescent), and incandescent bulbs safely. Learn more about safely disposing of old bulbs.
Outlets and Cords
- If you have children that live in or visit your home, install safety plugs and outlet covers (available at most hardware stores and home project centers).
- Never overload outlets. Too many cords plugged into one circuit creates an electrical hazard.
- Check cords often for fraying or damage. Replace them if necessary.
- Use the right extension cord for the job (e.g. heavy-duty extension cords with power tools; moisture-resistant extension cords for outdoors).
- Place all cords safely out of the way to prevent trips and fall hazards.
Trees and Power Lines
- A service interruption can occur when tree branches contact power lines. Trees must be kept a safe distance from all electrical wires.
- To ensure safe and reliable service, UGI maintains a coordinated vegetation management program that promotes proper tree selection and planting, as well as tree trimming, in the vicinity of power lines. Review our guidelines and tips for planting trees near powerlines.
UGI's Safety & Security Lighting Program
For a nominal monthly charge, UGI provides an outdoor lighting service, which includes your choice of fixture, energy, installation, and maintenance. Call 800-276-2772 to learn more.