SAFETY ADVICE FOR DIY

Are you adding an extension to your house, or building a new garage, porch or conservatory?

If your answer is yes then you need to be aware that underground cables may be present in the ground you are about to dig up.

• It is your responsibility to locate and avoid damage to any electricity cables in and around your work site.
• Contact NIE to request free marked up map indicating the approximate location of the mains electricity cables in the road/street outside your premises.
• These maps do not show individual service cables. Consider the position of your electricity meter, this will give you some indication of the line the service cable will take to your premises from the electricity mains
• Check there are no underground cables before you dig or drive stakes in the garden.

Are you painting the outside of your home, trimming trees or carrying out external repairs?

• Be aware there may be overhead electricity lines where you are working and plan your work accordingly.
• Take care when carrying ladders or using cherry pickers and ensure you stay at least 5 metres (17 feet) away from overhead electricity lines and equipment.
• Don't touch a branch if it is in contact with a power line.
• Plant trees well away from power lines and get advice on which plants and trees are safe to plant near power lines. Overgrown branches can cause power lines to clash - bringing lines down, threatening lives and sometimes causing fires.
• Children - Do not play near adults when they are using electric garden tools, and never try to use the tools yourself. Remember, water and electricity do not mix so if your parents have left electric tools outside and it starts to rain, or water from a hosepipe makes the tools wet, tell them. Never touch the tools - you could get an electric shock.

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