Most jobs do not require you to climb 40 feet in the air and conduct business within a few feet of high voltage power lines that carry 7,200 volts of electricity.  However, for many utility workers, this is just another day at the office.

Across the nation there are millions of utility poles that provide the electricity that powers everything in your daily life - including the brewing of your morning cup of coffee and the lighting you turn off before going to bed.  The electricity we depend on would not be possible without the utility workers who maintain and repair these utility poles.

The Safe Electricity program urges everyone to keep utility poles free from all personal materials such as balloons, fliers, and metal objects like staples or tacks.  By respecting utility poles, you can help keep your community powered, and your local utility workers safe.

This practice is not only illegal in many areas, but also creates hazards for the linemen who repair and maintain utility poles and other electrical infrastructure and can increase your monthly utility bill.

Utility workers use specialized climbing devices to perform regular maintenance and repair damaged power lines at the top of utility poles.  Nails, tacks, and other metal objects that are used to attach objects to utility poles can interfere with the safe operations of the climbing boots used by utility workers.

Foreign objects that are embedded in utility poles can also snag or damage the protective clothing that keeps line workers safe from electrical shock.  These men and women already work in extremely hazardous conditions, so everyone who relies on electricity should take steps to make their job as safe as possible.

Other items that have been found on utility poles include tree stands for hunting.  If you plan on hunting, do not place tree stands or other objects on utility poles.  Doing so not only creates a risk for utility workers, but it is also extremely dangerous for yourself or anyone who uses it.  For your own safety, please keep as much distance between yourself and overhead power lines as possible.

For more information on staying safe around power lines, utility poles, and electricity, visit www.SafeElectricity.org.