Your safety

Overhead lines

In general, overhead electricity lines are not insulated and if anything capable of conducting electricity comes to close to them, or makes contact with them, electricity will pass through the object with the risk of injuring or killing anyone holding or nearby the object.

Things that could conduct electricity include fishing rods and lines, kites and model plane control lines. Before any outdoor leisure activity, check whether there are overhead lines nearby.

Flying (including balloons, gliders, hang-gliders, microlights, model aircraft and kites)

• Always survey the area before taking off or landing.
• If there are overhead lines in the area, contact us for advice on what to do.
• Electricity can jump gaps, so don't get anywhere near the wires.

Fishing

• Carry rods and other long objects horizontally.
• Rubber boots and waders will not protect you.
• If apparatus does touch the line, leave it alone and call our emergency number or the police.

Other activities

You must also take care when:

• Putting up a tent or marquee;
• Positioning a caravan;
• Putting up a television aerial;
• Working on rooves using long ladders.

Follow these guidelines to ensure you stay safe.

• Always survey the area before you begin.
• If there are overhead lines in the area, contact us for advice.
• Tent poles, guy ropes, aerials and most other materials will conduct electricity.
• Don’t light fires beneath overhead lines.
• Carry long objects horizontally.
• Activity leaders should ensure their groups understand the danger, particularly when leading youth groups and children.

It is unlikely you will have underground cables under your property except for the service cable that feeds your property. However, you should always take care when digging, particularly deep holes, for example for fence posts. If you uncover a cable, phone us for advice even if you haven't damaged it.

Substations

All substations are enclosed. Encourage children to play ball games elsewhere so they are not tempted to retrieve the ball if it goes in the substation.

Never go into a substation. If you or a child accidentally throws something into a substation, call us and we will recover it for you.