May is National Electrical Safety Month

ALLENTOWN, Pa., May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- PPL Electric Utilities this month is joining the call for all Americans to make electrical safety an important part of their everyday lives.

PPL Electric Utilities supports Electrical Safety Foundation International, which sponsors National Electrical Safety Month. This year's ESFI campaign challenges people across the country to evaluate the electrical safety of their homes, learning more about their electrical systems and devices in the process.

"Electricity plays a vital role in virtually all we do, from our jobs to our homes, in work and in leisure. During National Electrical Safety Month, we want to encourage our customers — youngsters and adults — to have a greater appreciation for the cautions we should have with the electricity that we rely upon," said David G. DeCampli, president of PPL Electric Utilities.

"In our business, the safety of the public and our employees is paramount. We reinforce safety each day as we work to maintain a reliable electric delivery system. That same sort of attention should carry over to everyone's homes and workplaces," he said.

During the coming months, PPL Electric Utilities will be sending safety videos and materials to thousands of contractors and emergency responders as part of an expanded public safety outreach initiative. PPL's information centers and environmental preserves at Lake Wallenpaupack and the Susquehanna Riverlands, as well as the Montour Preserve, also feature safety displays and materials for the public.

"A healthy respect for electricity and a basic knowledge of electrical safety practices can help keep your family and home safe from electrical hazards all year long," said ESFI President Brett Brenner.

In the spirit of National Electrical Safety Month, PPL Electric Utilities reminds homeowners and contractors to call Pennsylvania One Call at 811 or 1-800-242-1776 at least three business days before any digging that could be around underground utility facilities. That allows utilities to mark the presence of pipes and lines. Remember that underground electric lines serving housing developments carry the same voltages as overhead lines. Hitting them can cause serious injury or death.

Caution is urged when working around overhead lines, too – whether trimming a tree, working on ladders or scaffolding, or using any equipment. Look up, be aware and make sure you stay at least 10 feet away from power lines. The safe distances increase as voltages increase. Call PPL Electric Utilities at 1-800-342-5775 if you are unsure of a line's voltage. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration also has safety clearance requirements.

Information on digging safely and avoiding overhead lines can be found at www.pplelectric.com/safety. The company's online Outage Center also provides safety tips during power outages, as well. And children, parents and teachers may find the online Electrical Safety World to be an entertaining and educational resource.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International is dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety. ESFI proudly sponsors National Electrical Safety Month each May, and engages in public education campaigns throughout the year to prevent electrical fires, injuries, and fatalities in the home and the workplace. For more information about ESFI and National Electrical Safety Month, visit www.esfi.org.

PPL Electric Utilities, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), provides electric delivery service to 1.4 million customers in 29 counties of eastern and central Pennsylvania and has consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. More information is available at www.pplelectric.com.

SOURCE PPL Electric Utilities