Power Line Safety Tips

Power lines are the main cause of electrocution, both on the job and at home. If you do any work outdoors, avoiding contact with power lines could save your life.Tips when planting trees near power lines. Planting chart. 20-25 feet from line, Small Trees: Flowering Dogwood, Japanese Lilac, Kousa, Dogwood, Ornamental Crabapple, Redbud, Stewartia. 30-35 feet from lines, medium trees: Bradford pear, Carolina Silverbell, Golden Raintree, Ornamental Cherry Saucer Magnolia, Serviceberry, Sourwood, Winter King Hawthorne, Fraser Fir. 40-45 feet from lines, Large Trees: Red Maple, Shagbark Hickory, Lacebark Elm, White Oak, Hemlock, Spruce.

You don’t have to touch a power line to be in danger. High-voltage electricity can be life-threatening to anyone who gets too close.

  • Stay at least 10 feet away from power lines and their connections.
  • Call 811 to identify underground power lines before you dig.
  • Never attempt to trim a tree near a power line. Call a professional.
  • Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security because you’re wearing rubber gloves or shoes. These items will not protect you from electrocution from power lines.