Be safe this spring at home
and in your neighborhood

When warm weather arrives, most of us are ready to head outdoors for fun and all types of work. NGEMC urges you to observe these safety tips this spring and summer so you can keep you and your family safe:

  • Before you dig in your yard or start excavating, call 811 to have your underground utility lines located. Learn more at georgia811.com.
  • To avoid being shocked and possibly injured or electrocuted, only fly a kite in wide open spaces away from power lines. If the kite does get entangled in a power line, call the electric company.
  • Check power tools and electrical cords to make sure they are in good repair. Power cords used outside should be designed for outdoor use.
  • Look for overhead power lines when using metal tools like ladders, pool skimmers and pruning poles, or when doing rooftop work.
  • Never climb trees or build tree houses in trees near power lines because tree limbs can conduct electricity.
  • Never touch downed power lines. Report them to NGEMC or emergency officials.
  • Do not attempt to cut the trees that are on or near power lines. Call NGEMC to schedule a site visit.
  • Take the day off if it rains. Climbing ladders and working with big equipment in bad weather is an invitation to lose your footing and knock something, or yourself, into a power line.
  • Keep outlets near hot tubs, spas, and pools covered and dry between uses.
  • Keep cords and plugs away from hot tubs, spas, pools, and puddles from wet bathers. Never handle electrical items, plugs or outlets when wet. If an electrical product falls into water, do not reach for it.
  • Never go into an electric substation.

Homeowner digging projects

Notifying Georgia 811 to have underground utilities marked is also the law when doing even simple home improvement projects in the yard such as the following:

  • Landscaping
  • Fence installation
  • Digging holes for fence posts or a mailbox
  • Anchoring supports for decks and swing sets
  • Planting trees
  • Removing tree roots
  • Driving landscaping stakes into the ground
  • Installing a retainer wall  

If you hire contractors for any exterior home improvement project that involves digging, or notice someone digging on or near your property, make sure Georgia 811 has been notified and utility lines were marked prior to breaking ground.