Safety Basics – Electric
There is nothing more important to Florida Public Utilities than keeping our customers, our employees and our communities safe. We are committed to the safety of our utility assets, our team and our customers, and we urge you to learn more about being safe. Here is more information about power line safety, our Tree-Line Maintenance Program and more.
Power Line Safety
Never work – or trim – near power lines:
- Always stay at least 10 feet away from power lines
- Always keep ladders, tree-pruners and other tools at least 10 feet from power lines
- Always look up and note where power lines are before you begin yardwork
- Make sure to take safety precautions when working around trees
- Hiring landscapers? Check if they are licensed and insured
- If you notice a tree or other object interfering with an overhead line, please stay far away and call FPU immediately
Line Clearing is a Job for Professionals
- Never touch a downed power line; stay as far away as possible
- Never try to trim or climb trees near power lines
- Don’t attempt to retrieve items tangled in power lines
- Instead, please call 800.427.7712 immediately to report an issue, so we can perform or schedule the service necessary. Or, in an emergency, dial 911
Tree-Line Maintenance
Overgrown trees are a top cause of power outages. When you participate in our Tree Line Maintenance Program, we will clear trees around power lines at your property and prevent disruptions to your electric service.
How It works:
- By regularly keeping electric wires free of vegetation, we’re able to prevent power outages and protect against other general safety hazards
- Maintenance revolves around a consistent and planned trimming cycle
- On average, we clear main power lines every three years and neighborhood lines every six years
- We only prune trees growing too close to power lines, and trees posing no threat to electric equipment won’t be trimmed
- By patrolling the entire length of a power line (vs. individual locations), we can give our customers better reliability