As municipal and community partners prepare to respond to reports of additional illegal gatherings planned for the weekend of Oct. 23, Utilities Kingston is issuing a public safety reminder to stay off roof tops, vehicles and trees, and well away from powerlines. You don’t need to touch a powerline to receive a deadly shock!

We are very concerned after photos were shared on social media last weekend, showing party goers standing on roof tops, in close proximity to powerlines. Electricity can jump or ‘arc’ to you if you get too close. Stay off roof tops and vehicles, avoid climbing trees and always stay well away from powerlines.

If you see people getting close to utility lines, tell them to stay back!

Stay away from utility lines and equipment

• Interfering with utility lines and equipment can have deadly consequences.
• Assume all utility lines have electricity flowing through them, and stay at least three metres away at all times.
• Powerlines can be deadly! Assume any utility line has electricity flowing through it, even if it isn’t sparking, or if you think it might be a telecommunications line.
• Always look up and look out for powerlines. Stay off roof tops, vehicles, trees and other areas that put you in close proximity to utility lines and equipment.
• If you see people getting close to utility lines, tell them to stay well back.
• Do not interfere with utility lines and other utility equipment. Tampering with utility equipment can create an immediate safety risk for yourself, the public or utility workers. 
• You don’t have to touch a high voltage powerline to be injured or killed. Getting too close to a powerline can kill you or cause serious injury. Contact with a residential voltage of 120 volts can be just as lethal as higher voltages.

To report downed powerlines or other utility concerns, call 613-546-1181, 24 hours per day. Get more powerline safety tips.