We've launched a safety campaign to help keep people safe from electrical hazards in and around their garden. Electrical incidents can happen as people spend more time in their gardens during the summer holidays.
The number of safety incidents involving electricity in gardens across the country can increase each year during the summer months, with many potential risks associated with digging or cutting.
We know it’s crucial that people are aware of the very real dangers that can occur even when doing what may seem like a simple task. When you’re not involving the experts, you have to be conscious of the various risks involved and potential hazards of working near electricity.
Many people aren’t aware of what the risks are which is why we provide safety advice for people to follow before they attempt any garden work to help avoid any accidents.
Our top safety tips include:
- Before carrying out any excavations or digging in your garden, request free network plans and safety advice from us.
- Always assume powerlines are live – even if they have fallen to the ground, broken or aren’t sparking.
- Select your machinery and equipment in relation to safe working distances and ensure it can’t come into contact with overhead power lines.
- Carry long objects at a low level and horizontally when passing under overhead cables.
- Do not attempt to rewire or tamper with the electrical components of appliances, leave this to an expert.
- Use cable locators before carrying out any work. Check plans by tracing cables and marking their position and always scan the area you intend to excavate before you start to dig.
- Always ensure that electrical items are turned off at the mains after use.
- You can call the 105 number in a case of an electrical network emergency. If anyone is injured, please call 999 for medical attention.
Click here for further safety information