• Always look up before raising ladders or other long or tall objects.  Keep ladders and scaffolds as far away from power lines as possible.

• Always keep electrical toys, electrical appliances (hedge trimmers, leaf blowers,) grills, and other items clear of any water including swimming pools, fish ponds, rain, sprinklers, ditches and hoses. Remember that water and electricity are a dangerous combination.

• Never put anything other than an electric plug into an electric socket. Do not put fingers, pencils or any objects into any outlet at any time and make sure that children do not do this. Safety caps available at any discount, drug or grocery store can be placed in unused outlets for safety.

• Remove plugs from outlets by grasping the plug and not the cord. Tugging or pulling electrical cords can damage the cords and create a potential safety hazard.

• Never use any electrical appliance or device when wet, with wet hands or when standing in water.

• Keep fire extinguishers throughout the home and make sure that at least one of them is rated for electrical fires. Never attempt to put out an electrical fire with water.

• In the event of electric shock, do not attempt to provide first aid but call 9-1-1 for professional medical help immediately.

• Stay away from power lines, meters, transformers and electrical boxes.

• Don’t climb trees near power lines.

• Never fly kites, remote control airplanes, drones or balloons near power lines.

• If you get something stuck in a power line, call CTEC to get it.

• Keep a safe distance from overhead power lines when working with ladders or installing objects such as antennas.

• Never touch or go near a downed power line.

• Don’t touch anything that may be touching a downed wire, such as a car.

• Keep children and pets away.

Outdoor Work Safety

• Accidents on the job site can result in lost time, delays in construction, and worst of all, the death and/or injury of employees.
• When on the job site, remember to be aware of your surroundings and map overhead powerlines in and around your construction zone before work begins.
• Always use a spotter when work around power lines is not avoidable.
• Look up before raising lifts or beds on work vehicles.
• Look up before setting up ladders or scaffolding.
• Never carry a power tool by the cord or yank the cord to disconnect it from the receptacle.
• Keep cords away from heat, oil and sharp edges and disconnect them when not in use.
• Use gloves and appropriate safety footwear when using electric tools.
• Store electric tools in a dry place when not in use and do not use them in damp or wet locations unless they’re approved for that purpose.
• Never spray water near powerlines.

Office and Indoor Work Safety

• Do not overload circuits.
• Do not pull cables to release a plug from an outlet.  Hold the plug to pull it from the outlet.
• Use surge protectors not extension cords. Do not plug two surge protectors together.
• Do not cover power cords with rugs or mats.
• Do not run electrical cords through pedestrian aisles or doorways.
• Unplug or disconnect machines before servicing or repairing.
• Do not use electrical equipment or appliances near water or wet surfaces.
• Never use electrical equipment when hands or the equipment are wet.
• Regularly check for defects in cords and equipment.
• Do not plug a space heater or fan into an extension cord or power strip.

When power lines are down, residents can restore energy to their homes or other structures by using another power source such as a portable generator. If water has been present anywhere near electrical circuits and electrical equipment, turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel. Do not turn the power back on until electrical equipment has been inspected by a qualified electrician.

If it is necessary to use a portable generator, manufacturer recommendations and specifications must be strictly followed. If there are any questions regarding the operation or installation of the portable generator, a qualified electrician should be immediately contacted to assist in installation and start-up activities. The generator should always be positioned outside the structure.

When using gasoline- and diesel-powered portable generators to supply power to a building, switch the main breaker or fuse on the service panel to the "off" position prior to starting the generator. This will prevent power lines from being inadvertently energized by backfeed electrical energy from the generators, and help protect utility line workers or other repair workers or people in neighboring buildings from possible electrocution. If the generator is plugged into a household circuit without turning the main breaker to the “off” position or removing the main fuse, the electrical current could reverse, go back through the circuit to the outside power grid, and energize power lines or electrical systems in other buildings to at or near their original voltage without the knowledge of utility or other workers.

Effects of Backfeed

The problem of backfeed in electrical energy is a potential risk for electrical energy workers. Electrocutions are the fifth leading cause of all reported occupational deaths. Following the safety guidelines below can reduce this risk.

Other Generator Hazards

Generator use is also a major cause of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Generators should only be used in well ventilated areas.

Learn more about generators for your home or business here

If you plan on doing any digging on your property, it is very important to have all underground utilities located prior to the project to prevent costly and potentially dangerous underground lines.

Whether you are digging for a flower bed, a fence post or a swimming pool, find out if there are any electric or utility lines in the area.  Simply dial 811 or visit texas811.org, it is free, and it is the law.

Tree Trimming

If you have tree limbs on your property that are leaning into or hanging over the power lines or you are worried about a tree that is dead and ready to fall and could land in the power lines, please call us at 1-800-900-2832  before removing them. Our experienced line workers and hired contractors will trim the necessary branches.

Planting Trees

Never plant trees, shrubs or bushes under or near electric lines.

Tiny trees grow into big trees whose branches can touch electric lines. Trees easily conduct electricity, putting tree-climbing, kite-flying children at risk of injury.

When planting trees or shrubs, keep in mind the shape and the size the species will reach at maturity. Select locations that are far enough from rights-of-way to ensure future growth will not interfere with power lines. Below is a diagram showing suggested planting distances for small, medium and large trees.

Of course, before you dig the hole to plant a tree or shrub, call Texas811 by dialing 811 to make sure you don't hit a buried utility line.

Request Tree Trimming - You can complete a form to let us know about trees or vegetation that need to be trimmed or cleared of electric lines. 

If you are in a motor vehicle accident and power lines are touching the vehicle:  

• Assume it's live.  Always assume that any downed lines are live and dangerous.  Do not attempt to touch or remove the wires and warn others to stay away.

• Stay put.  Unless there is a secondary emergency, such as a fire, it is safer to stay inside the vehicle than trying to exit.

• Call 9-1-1.  Let the dispatcher know that you were in an accident, and you have a downed line on your vehicle.  The authorities will contact the power company and line workers will be sent to the scene to shut off power.

• Warn others.  Witnesses may not notice the downed line and could be coming to help.  Warn them to stay at least 40 feet away.

If another emergency poses a greater threat, you may need to exit your vehicle.

If you must exit:  

• Get yourself ready.  The goal is to avoid touching the car and the ground at the same time.  Remove any loose clothing, open your car door, step onto the metal frame of the car with your feet close together and tuck your hands and elbows into your chest.

• Jump from the vehicle.  When jumping, keep your feet together.  This is more important than how far you jump.  If your feet are apart from each other, you could create a bridge, allowing electricity to run through you.  Jump as far as you can from the vehicle without jeopardizing your stance.

• Shuffle or hop to safety.  Don't become a circuit!  Shuffle your feet in slow short strides always maintaining contact with the ground or hop with feet together until you are at least 40 feet away from the downed wire.

The Texas Move Over/Slow Down law requires all Texas drivers to move one lane over, if possible when approaching an emergency vehicle or service utility vehicle parked on the shoulder with warning lights in operation. If moving over isn’t practical or possible, drivers must slow down to at least 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.  This law applies to the following vehicles:

• Police vehicles
• Ambulances
• Fire Engines
• TXDOT vehicles or other highway construction or maintenance vehicles
• Tow trucks
• Power utility vehicles
• Garbage trucks