Ameren Illinois Utilities Help You Spring Into Action by Putting Safety First
April 09 2009 - 10:58AM
PR Newswire (US)
Call JULIE, Then Dig It PEORIA, Ill., April 9 /PRNewswire/ --
Planting trees and shrubs to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day is a
great idea, but before you plant, the Ameren Illinois Utilities
(AmerenCIPS, AmerenCILCO, AmerenIP) remind you that April is Safe
Digging Month. Homeowners, landscapers, builders, excavators and
others not only dig holes to plant saplings, but dig into the
ground for fence posts, foundations, sprinkler systems and new
decks. All these are great ideas, but don't forget to call JULIE at
"811" at least two business days before you dig. "It's imperative
that Illinois citizens follow the state law that requires all
underground utility lines to be marked prior to breaking ground --
both throughout the month of April and year-round," said Kevin
Chmura, director of public relations for JULIE, Inc. "This is a
free call and service." When you call JULIE, the Illinois One-Call
System, utilities will be notified so they can mark the location of
their underground lines in the area where you plan to dig. In
addition to electrical and natural gas lines, water, sewer and
telecommunication lines also are marked. Call "811" before you dig
to prevent serious injury or death, avoid electrical, natural gas
and other utility service interruptions as well as the high cost of
repairing damage to underground lines. If you intend to plant trees
or shrubs, the Ameren Illinois Utilities invite you to visit the
MySafeTrees.com Web site for the information you will need. The Web
site identifies trees to plant and those to avoid. You will learn
about planting the right tree in the right place and the importance
of avoiding power lines, utility poles and electrical equipment.
Also, the site explains why and how the Ameren Illinois Utilities
trim trees. Our vegetation management personnel are certified
arborists who are responsible for vegetation management along
approximately 43,300 miles of electrical distribution and
transmission lines. We are recognized as a "Tree Line USA" utility
by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Other important safety steps
to remember: -- Look up when you are outdoors. Know the location of
all overhead utility lines and keep ladders and pole pruners away
from these lines. When climbing a tree, make certain it is not near
overhead power lines. -- Never use kites that have metal, wire or
tinsel components. Do not fly kites in the vicinity of overhead
electrical wires or when there is a threat of thunderstorms. --
Improve safety is by using ground fault circuit interrupters
(GFCIs) for all outdoor outlets. While you are at it, GFCIs also
belong in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, garage and other
locations where electrical devices could come into contact with
water. A GFCI is designed to turn the power off before a deadly
electrical shock can occur. If you do not yet have GFCIs, contact
an electrician to discuss GFCIs and arrange for installation. If
all older homes had GFCIs, it is estimated that 70 percent of
residential electrocutions would be prevented each year. The Ameren
Illinois Utilities (AmerenCIPS, AmerenCILCO, AmerenIP) have been
providing safe, reliable energy delivery service for more than a
century. The Ameren Illinois Utilities deliver energy to 1.2
million electric and 840,000 natural gas customers in more than
1,200 communities within a 43,700-square-mile service territory,
while helping you spend less by using less through our
ActOnEnergy.com initiative. DATASOURCE: Ameren Illinois Utilities
CONTACT: Neal Johnson of Ameren, +1-309-677-5284 Web Site:
http://www.ameren.com/
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