4/14/2009 11:33:46 AM

Its spring. And after a winter spent indoors, most of us love to get outside and enjoy the warm temperatures even if just means doing chores around our homes and yards.

Too often, outdoor chores from cleaning the gutters to trimming shrubbery can result in electrical hazards. For example, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, nine percent of electrocution-related deaths each year are caused by ladders contacting power lines.

The safety experts at Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) remind you to only use a fiberglass or wooden ladder if you must work near overhead wires and never touch a person or an object, such as tree limb, ladder or even a kite string that has made contact with a power line.

When you grab those trimmers and other power tools from the garage or shed, make sure you inspect them for frayed cords, broken plugs, and cracked or broken housings. Repair or replace damaged power tools before using them. You should always store power tool indoors, never carry them by the cord and unplug them when not in use.

Check out your extension cords, too. Only use cords that are labeled for outdoor use and match the power needs of any electric tool to the cords label information. Avoid damp conditions when using any electrical device and keep them away from water.

One more important safety tip from the folks at NNEC is to teach your children to stay away from electric transformers and substations. Make sure they understand what the posted warning signs mean and never to play around them.