With the nice weather upon us, and everyone doing outdoor work, there's an increased risk of accidental electrocution.
Electrical Safety Authority Chief Public Safety Officer Scott Saint says things like cleaning out eaves troughs and using ladders can be dangerous with overhead power lines near by.
He says ladders should always be carried horizontally.
"If you carry it vertically, you have the potential to run into a power line," says Saint. "You're walking and looking down to make sure you don't trip, and you forget what's above you. It's very easy to come into contact. We've had too many sad cases over the years where that situation has occurred."
Saint says we should stay at least three metres away from power lines at all times, and never drape anything over them.
"I always like to say that electricity is lazy, it's looking for a path to the ground the quickest way it can get there. If you're the closest thing, it will take it. In a split second, your life can change forever and you don't even have to come into contact with the power line. It has the ability to jump or arc through the air," he says.
The ESA says in the past ten years, there have been 23 non-occupational electrical fatalities in Ontario and many more injuries.
We're also encouraged to phone Ontario One Call before doing any underground digging.
Call 1-800-400-2255 to have your underground utilities marked.
