Electricity Safety

General info

  • Stay away from Halifax EMC equipment, which includes poles, guy wires, substations, underground transformers, and trucks working on lines.
  • When you see our crews and equipment along roadsides, slow down, move over, and proceed with care.

Downed Power Line Safety

Downed power line on a road, with trees on on both sides of road

  • If a power line falls, stay away from it! Report the downed line to 911 immediately!
  • If you see a downed line, do not touch it! You should always assume that a downed wire is live. Call Halifax EMC, (800) 690-0522, immediately.

Overhead Power Line Safety

  • Call us to trim trees near power lines.
  • Keep ladders, antennas, and poles away from power lines.
  • If you have a swimming pool, make sure that overhead wiring does not pass over the pool and is safely away from the pool area.
  • Never allow pool cleaning equipment to touch power lines near the pool area.
  • Keep kites and other objects away from overhead power lines.
  • Do not build or construct anything under overhead power lines.

Underground Power Line Safety

  • If your power lines are underground, do not begin digging in the area without calling North Carolina 811, (800) 632-4949. This free service will notify your utility, who in turn will locate your underground lines so you can dig safely.
  • Do not plant trees/shrubbery or place obstructions within 10 feet of green transformer boxes or beneath overhead electrical lines.

Water Safety

  • Electricity and water are a dangerous combination. Make sure outlets placed near sinks, tubs, swimming pools, and other sources of water are wired with ground fault circuit interrupters.
  • Never run extension cords outside after heavy rain. Even though the rain has stopped, the ground may still be wet, and anything wet will conduct electricity.

Outdoor Safety

Lightning behind power line

  • Do not attach signs, notices, or birdhouses to utility poles. Nails and staples can interfere with special climbing hooks used by line workers to climb poles and can also increase the risk of electrocution.
  • Make sure the extension cords you do use outdoors are rated for outdoor use. Make sure they are in good condition (no cuts or frays) and are plugged into properly grounded outlets.
  • The best place to be during a thunderstorm is inside. When you see a storm approaching, seek shelter right away.