Member safety is first and foremost at Bon Homme Yankton Electric. Every year people are injured or even killed when they climb or trim trees near power lines.
Tree don't have to touch an energized power line to be dangerous. Electricity can arc (jump) from the power line to nearby trees in the right conditions, like a voltage surge on the line from a nearby lightning strike. Such a condition can kill anyone caught near the tree and can cause a fire.
High voltage lines are not insulated, and direct contact usually results in death by electrocution. A tree contacting a power line can also become energized, injuring someone touching the tree. Children should never climb trees near power lines. Trees contacting power lines can also start fires, endangering lives and property.
The National Electric Safety Code specifies that power lines maintain specific distances from nearby objects - including trees. The code requires greater clearances for higher voltage lines. For safety reasons, transmission line rights-of-way are wider than for local distribution lines.
Reliable electric service is also an integral part of our lives. Bon Homme Yankton Electric strives to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electric service. To achieve these goals, we must manage trees near power lines. If a utility representative contacts you about trimming trees near power lines, please give permission. The outage you help save will likely be your own.