Power company’s message for winter storm safety

Oct 7, 2021, 1:59 PM

Photo of winter scene with pine trees and a power line covered in snow. PHOTO: Canva

Former Digital Content Producer

SALT LAKE CITY — Rocky Mountain Power hopes customers will prioritize safety while getting ready for the fall and winter.

The arrival of fall weather means beautiful red, orange, and yellow leaves, hours of canyon drives… and that winter is just around the corner.

Now is the time many are working on outdoor projects like cleaning out gutters, adding a fresh coat of paint to the shutters, and cutting down overgrown tree branches that pose a threat to power lines.

Don’t neglect safety in winter projects, power company says

Rocky Mountain Power has a message for the public about how to safely complete your seasonal chores and prepare for the winter storms ahead. The company wrote in a news release:

Use caution when pruning trees. Don’t use pruning tools or ladders near power lines. Always keep yourself and anything you’re handling at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.

Never try to remove a branch that is tangled or lying across a power line. Instead, call us at 1-888-221-7070. We’ll be happy to remove it for you.

Treat all electric lines with caution.

Use only wooden and fiberglass ladders. Metal ladders conduct electricity.

Never use electrical equipment or tools near a pool or other wet areas. Additionally, make sure outlets are equipped with a ground fault circuit interrupter, designed to automatically disconnect if the tool comes into contact with water.

Be aware and steer clear of overhead electrical wires when installing, removing, cleaning or repairing gutters.

Have help when installing or adjusting a satellite dish or antenna. Make sure you’re working at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.

Plant trees and shrubs away from meters, switching cabinets and boxed transformers. Vegetation blocking electrical equipment makes repairs and maintenance challenging and sometimes dangerous for utility workers.

Underground power lines are just as dangerous as overhead ones. If your project involves digging, make sure the locations of underground power lines are marked. Call 811 to have underground utilities located and marked for free.