Steer Clear of Overhead and Underground Utility Lines

MAYS LANDING, N.J. - Spring is here and April showers bring May flowers as well as opportunities to tackle various backyard and construction projects. Most yard work involves digging, which emphasizes the importance of being safe around overhead and underground utility lines.

April is National Safe Digging Month and the phone number to call before you dig is 811. Calling 811 is easy, free and helps keep you safe. When 811 is called, the call is routed to an operator who will ask for the location of a digging job. Within a few days, a locator is sent to mark the approximate location of underground utility lines so you will know what's below and be able to dig safely.

For anyone working outdoors, Atlantic City Electric strongly advises to avoid overhead utility lines when carrying long or tall items, such as ladders, scaffolding, tree saws and pool cleaning equipment, by holding them parallel to the ground. Please remember to look up before raising any items to be sure they are clear of overhead wires. Touching a power line with any part of the body or most objects can result in serious injury or even death. Electricity can move through conductive materials such as water, metal, wood, aluminum, string and plastic. Certain critical clearances are required by law and a minimum of 10 feet must be maintained when working near power lines.

Find additional safety information at www.atlanticcityelectric.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/atlanticcityelectric and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/acelecconnect. Our mobile app is available at www.atlanticcityelectric.com/mobileapp.

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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.