MAYS LANDING, N.J. - The spring season means more people will be outside doing yard work or engaging in recreational activities, underscoring the need to be safe around overhead and underground utility lines, Atlantic City Electric officials say.

The power company urges people to avoid power lines when carrying long or tall items, such as ladders, scaffolding, tree saws and pool cleaning equipment by holding them parallel to the ground and remembering to look up before raising them to be sure they are clear of any overhead wires.

Touching a power line with any part of your body or most objects can result in serious injury or death. Electricity can move through conductive materials such as water, metal, wood, aluminum, string and plastics. Certain critical clearances are required by law and a minimum of 10 feet must be maintained when working near power lines.

When landscaping or building on your property, be sure to call 811, the national call-before-you-dig number. This is a free service that will mark where underground utility lines are buried. If you puncture electric power, natural gas, propane, water, sewer, cable television or telephone lines with digging tools or equipment, you could be seriously injured, and you may be liable for injuries and repair costs.

For more safety tips, log onto Atlantic City Electric's Web site at www.atlanticcityelectric.com.

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Atlantic City Electric, a public utility owned by Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), provides safe, reliable and affordable regulated electric delivery services to more than 545,000 customers in southern New Jersey.