April 5, 2021
STARKVILLE – Spring is a perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors, but it’s also the season when accidents and injuries tend to increase. Starkville Utilities reminds customers to play it safe when doing yardwork, spring cleaning, home renovations and other activities that can potentially put them in harm’s way.
“Raising awareness is always the first step in creating a safe work environment,” said Terry Kemp, general manager of Starkville Utilities. “By taking a few moments to review these safety tips, our customers will be better prepared to avoid potential hazards in their homes and yards this spring.”
The first rule of safety is staying away from power lines. Customers are advised to stay at least 10 feet from power lines and immediately report downed lines to Starkville Utilities. Even if you don’t come in contact with a line, electricity can arc to nearby objects and people, causing serious and even fatal injuries.
While trimming vegetation away from power lines can prevent power outages, especially during the high-wind storm season, it’s definitely best to hire a licensed tree service to do the job.
In addition to overhead lines, customers should avoid contacting underground utilities. Call 811 at least three days before installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree or any other digging activity to have professional locators mark utility-owned underground lines.
Here are additional safety tips to follow when working outdoors this spring:
Additional safety tips are available on Starkville Utilities’ website.
Customers also may visit Safe Electricity and Electrical Safety Foundation International for more information about preventing electrical hazards.
Starkville Utilities is a municipally owned and operated electric and water utility, serving more than 14,000 residences, businesses and industries in Starkville as well as the state’s largest institution of higher learning, Mississippi State University.