Electrical Safety
Electricity is a powerful and essential part of daily life, but it can also be dangerous. Hazards aren’t always easy to spot – especially outdoors, where distractions are common. That’s why it’s crucial to stay alert and follow safety guidelines to prevent injuries or even fatalities.
Use these guidelines to stay safe around electricity.
Overhead Power Lines
You don’t need to touch a power line to be electrocuted—electricity can jump, or arc, through the air to you or your tools. Stay safe by keeping yourself, equipment, toys, and tree branches at least 3 to 6 metres away from all power lines.
Downed Power Lines
Storms, ice, accidents, or equipment failures can bring down power lines. Always assume power lines are live. Stay at least 10 metres away and call us or 9-1-1 to report it.
If a power line contacts your vehicle, stay inside—it’s your safest option. Call 9-1-1 immediately.
If you must exit (due to fire or other danger), bunny hop out—keep your feet together and land with both at once. Then shuffle away at least 10 metres, keeping both feet in contact with the ground. Never touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time.
Click Before You Dig
Many properties have power lines buried beneath them, and if contacted by a shovel or piece of machinery, could have life-altering consequences. Before you plant a tree, install a fence, or do any excavating, be sure to contact Ontario One Call who will ensure all utilities are located before you break ground. It’s not only free, it’s the law!
Safety Around Electrical Equipment
You’ve probably seen substations, hydro poles, and pad-mounted transformers—those locked green metal boxes—around your community. These contain high-voltage equipment and can be extremely dangerous. Never climb, sit on, or tamper with any electrical infrastructure.
If there’s a pad-mounted transformer on your property, please keep the area clear, especially in front of the unit. This helps ensure the safety of our crews during maintenance or when restoring power during an outage.