National Electrical Safety Month: CPSC Alerts Consumers To Electrocution
Hazards From Overhead Power Lines
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2002
Release # 02-151
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7051
National Electrical Safety Month: CPSC Alerts Consumers To Electrocution
Hazards From Overhead Power Lines
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Even as technology improves, the electrocution
hazards of the past can resurface and pose a danger to consumers. With
satellite dishes, cable TV, cellular phones, and the Internet replacing
traditional TV, radio, and CB systems, consumers may be taking out their
ladders and taking down their old antennas. If proper precautions are
not used, the result can be deadly. In recognition of National
Electrical Safety Month, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) is reminding consumers of the serious electrocution hazard when
ladders or antennas touch high-voltage, overhead power lines.
CPSC data show that between 1990 and 1998, more than 300 people in the
U.S. were electrocuted when an antenna or pole they were holding touched
a high-voltage power line. During this same timeframe, CPSC is aware of
nearly 150 electrocution deaths due to ladders coming into contact with
an electrical line. Overall, CPSC estimates there are about 200
consumer product-related electrocution deaths each year, which is down
from about 600 deaths per year in the 1970s.
"CPSC believes that there are still many electrocution deaths that could
be prevented. Consumers should never place a ladder, antenna, or
anything else near a power line," stated CPSC Acting Chairman Thomas
Moore. "Consumers who come in contact with an overhead power line may
not live to share their experience."
In 1978, the Commission set a standard calling for the industry to
properly label antennas with safety warnings about the risk from power
lines. This was followed by a standard in 1982 requiring antennas for
citizen's band communications to be insulated, thus reducing the risk of
shock from contact with power lines. These standards helped to
dramatically reduce the 186 deaths per year that occurred in the mid-
1970s from antenna electrocutions to 20 per year in the 1990s. Now,
consumers are taking down older, uninsulated antennas, which could lead
to more electrocutions.
When participating in outdoor, overhead activities, consumers should
take the following precautions:
Keep all objects - including masts, poles, ladders, tools and toys -
far away from power lines at all times.
If you are taking down or moving an antenna, be aware of new power
lines that have been put up since the antenna was first installed.
Never assume that an overhead power line is electrically insulated;
always assume that contact with any line can be lethal.
Never place a ladder anywhere near an electrical power line.
Position non-metal ladders (such as fiberglass) at a height and
location that prevents the possibility of you or it contacting a power
line.
Keep the distance from an antenna or pole to the power line at least
11/2 times the height of the antenna or pole.
Properly ground all masts in accordance with electrical codes.
Be aware that you can be electrocuted by touching a power line
directly or by touching a conductive material (such as a metal ladder,
antenna, pipe, kite) and, at the same time, the earth or any grounded
item (such as metal siding or a downspout).
Keep away from all downed power lines. A power line that touches the
ground can shock or kill you even if you do not touch it. The
electrical current can travel through the ground and into your body.