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107 Selden St., Berlin, Connecticut 06037



News Release

Today Marks the Start of National Electrical Safety Month
Are you being safe around electricity? CL&P reminds everyone to take extra precautions



BERLIN, Conn. May 1, 2012 – Are you being safe around electricity? May is National Electrical Safety Month and Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) is reminding customers that with warmer weather and vacations come more outdoor activities and potential distractions.

CL&P offers these helpful tips to make this time of year safe and enjoyable:

· Always stay away from downed power lines and assume any fallen wires are live and extremely dangerous. Don’t touch anything that may be in contact with downed wires. Call 911 immediately to report downed wires.

· Underground wires are a hidden danger. Never dig around a home or business without checking for underground wires or cables. Contact Call Before You Dig (CBYD) at 811 or use the Call Before You Dig Web site (www.cbyd.com). Connecticut law requires you to call at least two full working days, excluding weekends and holidays, before digging.

· When working outdoors, position ladders away from power lines; keep this in mind when painting or cleaning gutters. Even a wooden ladder can conduct electricity. Maintain a minimum 10 feet of clearance from overhead power lines.

· Before using any electrical tool, be sure to inspect it for frayed power cords, broken plugs and cracked or broken sockets. When using an electric appliance outdoors, be sure it is plugged into an outlet that has a weatherproof cover and a ground fault circuit interrupter. If a problem occurs in the equipment, the interrupter will instantly cut the power, preventing a serious electric shock. Never use an electric appliance near a pool or other wet surfaces.

· Be sure all electrical equipment for your swimming pool is grounded properly. If you're installing a pool, have it inspected by your town's electrical inspector when the job is completed. A ground fault circuit interrupter should be installed on your pool's electrical equipment.

· Never let anyone climb utility poles, towers, pad-mounted transformers or trees near power lines. If your kite should get snagged in power lines or in a tree in which lines might be concealed, don't try to free it yourself. If your pet gets stranded on a pole or if your child’s ball or toy goes into an electric substation, don't try to get them yourself. CL&P customers should call (800) 286-2000.

· Watch for power lines when sailing or bringing your boat ashore. Lower the mast when pulling the boat on a trailer to avoid contact with power lines along the road.

· If you buy a backup electric generator, make sure it is properly installed by a licensed electrician and it includes a transfer switch. Keep in mind that you may also need a town permit or an official inspection.

"At CL&P, keeping our employees and our customers safe is our top priority,” said Sean Martin, manager, Safety, CL&P. “We encourage customers to check out our programs and information about electrical safety so they can keep their families safe, especially while enjoying outdoor summer activities.”

Learn more about CL&P’s electrical safety programs online at www.cl-p.com and check out the playlist of safety videos at YouTube.com/ctlightandpower. For additional safety tips, follow CL&P on Twitter @CTLightandPower and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/CTLightandPower.


The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) has been part of everyday life in Connecticut for more than 100 years, providing safe and reliable electric service to homes, neighborhoods and businesses. With 1.2 million customers in 149 cities and towns, CL&P is improving the environments you live in, by offering programs in energy conservation, economic development and environmental stewardship. CL&P is a Northeast Utilities company (NYSE: NU). For more information, please visit www.cl-p.com , like us on Facebook at facebook.com/CTLightandPower and follow us on Twitter @CTLightandPower.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Mitch Gross
(860) 665-5221




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