​Washington, D.C. (June 5, 2018) – As part of National Safety Month and the energy company's ongoing efforts to promote safety around electrical equipment, Pepco reminds customers and local contractors to be aware of their surroundings when planning projects near electrical equipment.

Contacting an overhead or underground electric line or other underground utility lines can cause serious injury, damage, and service interruptions. It is essential for anyone who is working near this equipment to take the necessary preparations before beginning their work.

Follow these tips:

• Before digging for any project, call 811 at least two business days prior to be connected to Miss Utility and arrange for any underground equipment to be marked.
• Keep ladders and other tools at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.
• Do not climb or trim trees near power lines.
• Keep electric tools and appliances away from wet surfaces, including pools and patios.
• Never approach a downed power line. Always assume a power line is energized and extremely dangerous.
• If you encounter a downed power line, immediately report it to Pepco at 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662).

Pepco crews work year-round to ensure safe and reliable service for customers. Much of this work is completed in area roadways, where lane restrictions provide a temporary work zone for employees. To help ensure the safety of motorists and Pepco employees and contractors, it's important to reduce speeds and keep safety at the top of your mind when driving through active work zones.

Pepco is a member of the Common Ground Alliance which works to share best practices to promote safe excavation and lower instances of damage to underground lines. For information on digging safely, including how to get lines marked and what to do after lines are marked, go to pepco.com/SafetyCommunity/Safety/.

​​Find additional information about Pepco by visiting www.pepco.com. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pepcoconnect and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pepcoconnect. Our mobile app is available at www.pepco.com/mobileapp.

###

About Pepco: Pepco, a public utility owned by Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), provides safe and reliable energy to more than 842,000 electric delivery customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia.