There are some special precautions you should take when working or playing outdoors where electricity is present.
Overhead power lines, for example, always should be considered energized and un-insulated … which means you should exercise special care to avoid touching them … ever! This includes keeping ladders, antennas and poles away from power lines. Please remember…
Remember; do not begin digging without calling 811 and Black River Electric Cooperative at least three (3) days in advance. The underground lines will be located so you can dig safely.
Trees and overhead power lines just don’t mix. Lightning, high winds, ice, heavy rains or even extremely dry weather can send a tree to the ground and its limbs into a power line. The result is a power outage. Crews have to be dispatched, electrical equipment has to be replaced and members are without power until the work can be safely completed.
Black River Electric has an aggressive tree trimming program in place to help reduce the potential for outages related to trees and tree limbs, but keeping up with tree growth is a challenge. If you’re considering planting trees near our overhead equipment, we encourage you to learn all you can about choosing the right tree for the right place.