June is National Safety Month: PSE&G provides tips for keeping safe around electric and gas
27 June 2006 - 1:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
NEWARK, N.J., June 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- June is National
Safety Month and a good time to review the basics for keeping safe
around electric and gas. PSE&G is reminding its customers to
use caution when making home improvements and enjoying summer's
warm weather. When doing work outside your home: * Be aware of
where your electric lines are located, and keep a safe distance
when using or carrying a ladder. Keep ladders at least 10 feet away
from power lines, and be especially careful with those made of
metal. * Consider hiring a professional contractor for the job if
you plan to put up or repair a TV or radio antenna. They can be
dangerous to handle. * Don't trim tree branches if a power line
runs through them. * Never operate electric trimmers, mowers, or
power tools on or near wet grass or shrubs, or with wet hands.
Always use heavy-duty, grounded extension cords. * Call before you
dig. You can easily damage underground gas and electric lines if
you don't know where they are. Worse, you can seriously injure
yourself or others. Call 1-800-272-1000 at least 3 days before the
start of your project. Utility workers will visit your work site
and place markers where utility lines are buried, free of charge.
Not only is this a good idea, it's the law. Teach your children to
play it safe. Remind them to: * Keep kites and balloons away from
electrical wires. Since overhead power lines are not insulated,
they could become a path for electricity. * Make sure not to climb
trees that are near electric lines, utility poles or towers. * Get
out of the pool and off the beach during a lightning storm. Water
and electricity don't mix. * Be aware of natural gas. A leak will
smell like rotten eggs. If they smell it, they should get out of
the house right away and find an adult who can call 9-1-1 and/or
the gas company. Finally, stay away from downed wires and don't
approach a vehicle if a power line has fallen on it. Touching it
could turn a rescuer into a victim. Those trapped in a car should
remain inside. The rubber tires will keep them safe until PSE&G
is able to shut power to the area. Public Service Electric and Gas
Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey's oldest and largest regulated
gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three- quarters
of the state's population. PSE&G is the winner of the
ReliabilityOne National Achievement Award for superior electric
system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service
Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG), a diversified
energy company (http://www.pseg.com/). DATASOURCE: PSE&G
CONTACT: Jenn Connell, +1-973-430-7734, for PSE&G Web site:
http://www.pseg.com/
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