Now that hunting season is upon us, hunters should remember to survey their surroundings before aiming at the next big prize. Take a moment to look up and out for power lines before starting the hunt.
"While electrical safety may not be top of mind when starting a hunt, contact with a power line, utility pole, or related equipment can alter the path to ground, sending electricity through anyone or anything that comes too close or in direct contact with the power source," says Erin Hollinshead, executive director of Safe Electricity. "Even coming within 10 feet can cause an arc, transferring energy from the power line/source to an object or person."
Be safe out there and follow these guidelines.
- Wear blaze (safety or fluorescent) orange.
- Write and share a hunting plan. Where will the hunt take place and for how long?
- Know the hunting area. Check national and state forest boundaries and avoid private land unless you have the landowner's permission. Survey the area for potential electrical hazards.
- Do not lean tree stands against utility poles or equipment. Keep them far from overhead power lines.
- Never climb a utility pole.
- Watch for power lines in wooded areas. Make sure they will not be in your line of sight when shooting.
- Never shoot near or toward utility poles, transformers, or substations. Stray bullets or pellets could damage equipment and possibly interrupt electric service.
- Do not fire at power lines, insulators, and conductor cans. They can drop to the ground and energize it or cause a fire.
- Stay at least 50 feet away from a downed power line. Assume it is still live, and call 9-1-1 to report it.
- Check tree stands regularly; they can deteriorate over time.
- Wear a full-body harness when in a tree stand to prevent falls that can cause serious injury.
- Watch for the warning signs of a heart attack or other life-threatening condition. Hunters can walk far distances when shooting and dragging an animal. Performing these activities (especially if the person is not otherwise active) can increase the heart rate and induce heart attacks.
- Have a way to get in touch with the outside world. Keep your cell phone in a pocket rather than in a pack. Take a portable battery charger.
- Always carry a first-aid kit.
- Respect firearms. Have the safety on, handle the gun like it is always loaded, always point it away from others, and know what and where the target is.
To learn more about electrical safety, visit SafeEelectricity.org.
Image of a hunter walking in a field by JamesDeMers from Pixabay.
Article and other images courtesy of SafeElectricity.org with modifications by Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.