The summer months are brimming with opportunities to work and play outside. It's a season of fun and good times with the great outdoors. So make sure you take a few moments to keep accidents out of your summer picture.

Whether it's gardening, work on a home improvement project or playtime, take a moment to consider the electrical equipment around you and potential hazards to avoid during the summer. Pay attention to power lines overhead and underground, as well as the added dangers when water and storm activity are present.

Safety tips to keep in mind this summer include:

• Look up and around you. Always be aware of the location of power lines, particularly when using long metal tools like ladders, pool skimmers and pruning poles or when installing rooftop antennas and satellite dishes or doing roof repair work.

• Be especially careful when working near power lines attached to your house. Keep equipment and yourself at least 10 feet from lines. Never trim trees near power lines — leave that to the professionals. Never use water or blower extensions to clean gutters near electric lines; contact a professional maintenance contractor.

• If your projects include digging, like building a deck or planting a tree, call your electric co-op and JULIE (800) 892-0123 before you begin. Never assume the location or depth of underground utility lines. Call a few business days before your dig date. A simple phone call can prevent the inconvenience of having utilities interrupted, and can help you avoid serious injury.

• Electricity + water = danger. If it's raining or the ground is wet, don't use electric yard tools. Never step into a flooded area - especially basements - if water may be in contact with electrical outlets, appliances or cords. Don't use any electrical appliances or touch circuit breakers or fuses when you're wet or standing in water. Keep electric equipment at least 10 feet from wet areas.

• If an electrical appliance has been in contact with water, have a professional check it before it is used. It may need to be repaired or replaced.

• Be sure outdoor outlets and outlets near wet areas of the kitchen, bath and laundry room have professionally installed ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to prevent serious shock injuries.

Make sure children understand basic safety rules:

• Never climb trees near power lines. Even if the power lines aren't touching the tree, they could touch when more weight is added to the branch.

• Fly kites and model airplanes in large open areas like a park or a field, safely away from trees and overhead power lines. If a kite gets stuck in a tree that's near power lines, don't climb up to get it. Contact your electric utility for assistance.

• Never climb a utility pole. Don't play on or around pad-mounted electrical equipment.

• Never go into an electric substation for any reason - even on a dare. Electric substations contain high-voltage equipment, which can kill you. Never rescue a pet or other animal that gets inside a substation. Call your electric utility instead.

Storms can also result in electric hazards. It's a good idea to keep utility emergency numbers close at hand and know what to do after the storm winds blow:

• If you see a downed power line, stay far away from it and anything touching it. Call your electric utility.

• Warn others to stay clear of the line. Assume that all downed power lines are energized.

Listen for and heed the safety tips presented in Safe Electricity public service announcements and visit www.SafeElectricity.org to learn more about being safe around electricity and related equipment.

Enjoy the summer - have a fun, safe season!

Molly Hall is the Director of Safe Electricity. E-mail: molly-hall@SafeElectricity.org

14 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.icl.coop