Most people at some point this summer will find themselves climbing up a ladder. Whether you’re a contractor doing daily work or a weekend warrior trying to complete a DIY project, Safe Electricity wants to make sure you make the proper steps to stay safe.
    Always take time to look up, and practice safety. When using a ladder, it is never safe to touch or get near a power line.
    Ladders are tools that allow homeowners and construction workers to climb up closer to important tasks that they need to work on, but they can also put people dangerously close to overhead power lines. Knowing where power lines and other potential hazards are should be part of the planning process for any outdoor project involving ladders.
    “It is a common myth that power lines are insulated,” says Erin Hollinshead, Energy Education Council Executive Director. “Lines may be coated for weather protection but not to provide protection from the electrical current.”
    Safe Electricity recommends these steps to keep you safe when using a ladder:
    • Carry ladders horizontally.
    • Make sure the area above the ladder is clear before placing it upright.
    • Long ladders may be hard to carry alone, so ask for help in carrying and setting them up.
    • Always make sure that your ladder is on a solid, level surface before attempting to climb.
    • Keep yourself and ladder far away- at least ten feet in all directions, at all times- from power lines, including service lines.
    • Inspect your ladder before and after use to make sure there is no damage that could put yourself or other users in danger.