May is National Electrical Safety Month and I&M is encouraging customers to make electrical safety a priority. All month long we will be sharing important reminders and facts about electricity safety.

It is important to always take safety precautions. To start, below are five tips to keep your family and guests safe this summer near electrical equipment.

1. If you see a downed power line, stay far away. Downed electrical wires do not have to be arcing or sparking to carry electricity. Please stay as far away as possible from the downed wire and anything it may be touching, including fences and standing water, and call local police or I&M at 1-800-311-4634.

2. 

    Kites, drones, toy airplanes and balloons should not be flown or released near electrical equipment. Always looks up and check for overhead power poles and lines. A kite string can conduct electricity and cause severe or fatal injuries if it touches a power line. Drones, airplanes and balloons could encounter power lines and cause a power outage.
3. Do not climb trees near electrical equipment. Ensure the tree and any branches are not near power lines.
4. Do not play, sit or hit outdoor electrical boxes. Often, you’ll see padmounts along roads or in neighbors and meter boxes attached to homes. Both pieces of equipment contain electrical equipment providing power to homes and businesses and should not be tampered with.
5. Never enter an electrical substation. If a ball or a pet goes inside a substation, please call I&M for help. Substations reduce the high voltage of electric power to a lower voltage to supply service to homes and businesses. A trained professional should only enter substations.

At I&M, staying safe around electricity is something we focus on daily and encourage our customers to have the same mindset. For more safety information visit IndianaMichiganPower.com/Safety.