Safety Tips
  • Maintain a safe distance from overhead lines by keeping ladders, etc. at least 10 feet away from electric lines.
  • To report a downed line call 911. Never touch or go near, or let anyone else go near, any fallen wires, even if you think they are safe. If you are in a vehicle that comes in contact with a downed line, stay in the vehicle until help arrives. If possible, drive clear of the wires. If a fire or other emergency requires you to exit the vehicle, do so by jumping out so that no part of you touches the ground and the vehicle at the same time.
  • Teach your children the dangers of power lines – including telling them never to climb utility poles, and never touch cables.
  • Do not throw rocks or other objects at equipment on poles.
  • Do not touch Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Utility (RCMU) electric meters or other power equipment behind buildings or stores.
  • Stay away from railroad tracks, wire fences, etc. that may be using electricity that you don’t know about.
  • Stay clear of anything that says “High Voltage.”
  • Natural gas is odorless before processing, but for safety reasons, an odorant is added so that a gas leak can be easily detected. Similar to the smell of rotten eggs, natural gas has a distinctive smell.
  • If you smell a strong odor of gas, alert others inside and leave the building right away. Do not turn lights on or off. Call 911 immediately from a phone outside the building.
  • Do not remove the ground pin/third prong of grounded-style cables. It is an important safety device.
  • Don't overload your outlet. Use surge-protected power bars when necessary.
  • Replace blown fuses with the proper wattage fuse only.
  • Keep electricity away from water! Never use appliances near water or leave appliances where they can fall into water. Don't use an electric lawn mower on wet grass or in the rain.
  • Don't leave space heaters on while unattended. Make sure the area around the heater is clear of any material or paper, or furniture.
  • Use caution with halogen lamps. Halogen bulbs get very hot. Floor or table lamps that get knocked over can cause a fire. Consider replacing your halogen lighting with compact fluorescent lighting.
For more safety tips, visit these websites: