Safety

Electrical Storms

1. If you're outside during an electrical storm seek shelter.
2. The best shelter is a house
3. jump in your vehicle; get in your golf cart; or, seek low ground.
4. Sit or lie down - it may be uncomfortable, but it may save your life.

If an electrical fire starts at a wall outlet

1. pull the plug by the cord or turn off the main switch.
2. Call the fire department.
3. If the fire is small use your home C02 fire extinguisher.
4. Never put water on an electrical fire

If a power line hits your car, stay inside.

If the car catches fire, jump clear without touching metal and ground at the same time. Shuffle away keeping both feet on the ground.

1. If someone is touching a fallen power line, stay away.
2. Don't rescue the victim, efforts to pull a shock victim away could make you a victim.
3. Call for emergency help.

1. Check each holiday light string before using it. If you find a frayed cord or damaged plug or light socket, discard the string.
2. Never staple or nail through electrical wires and always keep a bulb in each socket.
3. Avoid overloading electrical circuits and connect lights to power strips with a built-in circuit breaker that has several outlets.
4. Don't use extension cords that are frayed or have cracked insulation or damaged plugs. Extension cords can be a big help, but if not used properly they can lead to fires.
5. Remind children never to touch lights or plugs with wet hands. Remember to unplug indoor lights when going to bed.​​​​​​ 

Use the correct lights for the job. Don't use outdoor lights indoors; they usually burn hotter than indoor lights. Also, do not use indoor lights outdoors because they may not be waterproof.

LED lights are safer - they remain cool regardless of how long they have been on, and they are more durable, with bulbs that are virtually indestructible.

Swimming Pools

Keep electric radios, TVs, clocks, barbecues, lights and other electrical appliances at least 3 metres from a pool and wet surfaces.

Swimming pools should be well away from hydro wires - you run the risk of hitting the wires with long-handled cleaning equipment.

Electric equipment

Appliances should not be used outdoors unless they are equipped with a heavy-duty cord and 3 prong plug.

All outdoor electrical outlets should be weatherproof and equipped with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) - this is especially important in damp locations where more protection is necessary than a fuse or circuit breaker.

Recreation 

Watch overhead when boating. Masts, fishing poles, or tall radio antennae could contact overhead wires

Fly kites and model airplanes in an open field - not near power lines.

Check before you dig

Check with your electric utility before you dig - underground cable is usually 0.5 to 1 metre below ground level. Make sure you know the location of buried electrical lines.

Antenna installation

If installing an antenna, make sure there is plenty of space between it and overhead power lines - at least twice the length of the antenna so if it falls it will clear the overhead power lines.

Tree Trimming Around CNPI Power Lines

Between the years 2001 and 2011, there were 176 contacts and near misses involving members of the public, arborists and landscapers in Ontario who were directly or indirectly working too close to energized power lines resulting in two fatalities. Members of the public, arborists, and landscapers are not qualified to work in the vicinity of energized power lines and should not trim or remove trees or other plant material around power lines and electrical equipment. It is highly recommended that customers wishing to perform tree trimming or pruning near power lines contact a licensed utility arborist. For more information please refer to Electrical Safety Authority Guidelines.

Tree Trimming Around Privately Owned Power Lines

CNPI is not responsible for the maintenance of trees or vegetation on privately owned lines. This is the responsibility of the owner. It is recommended that you hire a qualified utility arborist to complete the work. Please contact CNPI for any inquiries in this matter.

Make sure that trees, where children play, don't have wires passing through them. Don't climb in or build anything in a tree with wires running through it.