ActewAGL urges ACT residents to stay safe during storm season

Friday 28 September 2012

Canberra’s storm season officially begins on 1 October and ActewAGL is urging ACT residents to start making preparations to ensure they are storm safe.

General Manager Asset Management Stephen Devlin said, “During Canberra’s storm season high winds and lightning can create dangerous situations by bringing down powerlines, damaging gas and electrical equipment and causing black outs.

“We are promoting the following storm safety tips to help keep the community safe.”

Preparing for storm season

• Make sure all trees on your property are at least 1.5 metres away from powerlines. An ActewAGL-accredited tree surgeon must be used if trees are within this distance.
• Create your own storm safety kit containing a torch, radio, spare batteries, a first aid kit and water.

During a storm

• Turn off and unplug unnecessary appliances to avoid damage from lightning.
• Avoid using landline telephones, touching metallic material such as water pipes and taps and using any electrical appliances that are wet or damaged. This will help reduce the risk of electric shocks.

After a storm

• Stay clear of fallen or low powerlines and objects such as fences or trees that are in contact with them, as they can conduct electricity.
• Report any damage you see to electrical and gas infrastructure to ActewAGL’s emergencies and faults numbers, 13 10 93 for electricity and 13 19 09 for gas.

For more information about preparing your home for storm season, go to the ACT Emergency Service Agency’s website esa.act.gov.au or call 13 22 81.

For more electrical and gas safety tips go to actewagl.com.au/safety

For further media information only:
Nicole Millwood
ActewAGL
Mobile: 0414 515 359