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Energy Adviser: Please, ‘call before you dig’

Take precautions, avoid spring dangers

The Columbian
Published: March 16, 2017, 6:02am

After a cold and dreary winter, sunny spring days make working outside alluring. Many of us want to get out there, dig in the ground and plant living things. It’s a good feeling to turn over a few shovels full–until you hit utility water, gas or power lines.

Instead of just digging in, at least two business days before you start your effort, call 811, the “Call Before You Dig” line. The call may save you from accidentally digging up dangerous underground cables, telephone wires and other utility lines hidden beneath the surface.

Your 811 call will trigger visits from various local utilities to mark the lawn, sidewalk, and driveway with color coded paint for utility, municipal, and company-owned lines. The water-soluble paint wears away in a couple of weeks.

“Calling before you dig is the law and damage to underground utility lines can be dangerous and expensive,” said Michael Getman, safety manager for Clark Public Utilities. “No matter what the size and scope of your project, it’s best to be safe and know where utility lines run across your property before you step down on the shovel,” Getman said.

Dangers can lie above ground as well as below. Be cautious with ladders around power lines and always look up. Secure your ladder when painting your home, cleaning gutters and roofs, or trimming the trees. If you use long-handled tools, save yourself from a potentially fatal shock, by not letting them touch the power lines.

Getman advises against using electric mowers, edger’s, blowers or similar power tools, during wet conditions or rain. Water conducts electricity. That’s why you should be extra careful around any outdoor fountains, spas or pools when using electric tools. Even moisture from wet grass or shrubs poses a potential danger because the moisture can leak in around an extension plug-in. Also, turn off and unplug power tools whenever you carry them from place to place to avoid injuries.

While extension cords are helpful when working outside, remember that they are only for short-term use, don’t connect them long term to lights, pumps, or water features in your yard. Unseen cords can cause someone to fall. Worn cords and sockets aren’t watertight and even a dewy morning could cause a short that might shock someone.

All outdoor outlets should have ground-fault circuit interrupters that immediately turn off electricity to an appliance when it detects a “leak” in an electrical circuit. If necessary, buy a portable GFCI to use with outdoor tools. You can find them for about $20 to $30 at hardware stores.

Before planting new trees or shrubs, make sure to look up and if there are power lines nearby, choose trees and landscaping that work well near or under electrical equipment.

When trees around your home grow into power lines, call the utility. “We recommend varieties that don’t grow above 25 feet,” Getman said. Visit the utility’s website for a list of power line-friendly trees, or talk to your local nursery.

Good weather also means kids play outside more. Take care in advance to teach kids about electricity “danger zones” so they don’t become one of the nearly 400 individuals electrocuted each year. Warn them to stay clear of electrical equipment, like the green metal boxes that are transformers or other electrical equipment on the ground. Also remind them to always look up and only fly kites or climb trees far away from power lines. Immediately report downed power lines to 360-992-8000 or 360-992-3000. Only call 911 if there’s a fire or injury, and keep everyone away from the wire until help arrives.

Substations are also dangerous areas with high-voltage equipment, and they’re fenced for everyone’s protection. If there’s one nearby, make sure children know not to climb the fence or go inside. If a ball, glider, or drone flies over the fence, call Clark Public Utilities at 360-992-3000 and an employee will safely retrieve the lost item for you.


Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.

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