We can’t beat Mother Nature but we can be prepared

Trees and branches falling onto powerlines is one of the biggest causes of unplanned power outages in the ACT, these incidents most commonly occur during seasonal weather events.

“We can’t beat Mother Nature but we can be prepared and we all have a role to play when it comes to vegetation management, storm preparation and bushfire mitigation,” said Clinton McAlister, Evoenergy Branch Manager.

“At Evoenergy we prepare our network to withstand storms, conduct proactive vegetation management and ensure that we have our crews on standby to respond to weather related events. But we know from experience that our network is vulnerable to direct lightning strikes, high winds, heavy rain, fire, flooding and flying debris, all of which can cause power outages and fallen powerlines – a potentially deadly situation.

“We are playing our part to reduce the risk of power outages, but it takes a community effort to ensure we are best prepared.”

There are a few simple ways you can reduce the impact of severe weather on our power supply:

• Clear all branches and loose items around your home. Kids toys, trampolines and outdoor furniture are some of the more surprising items that have been blown into powerlines.
• Do not try to cut trees and vegetation back yourself if it is within 1.5 metres from powerlines. It’s extremely dangerous so always engage an Evoenergy accredited tree surgeon.
• Keep the area around powerlines and other electrical assets clear of obstructions so we can access them easily to restore your power quickly.
• Stock your home safety kit with a battery powered torch and radio, spare batteries and a first aid kit. Before a storm, charge your mobile or tablet device to receive our live Twitter updates.
• Conditions in your yard can change after a storms. Always take time to scan your backyard for dangers. Damaged powerlines can still conduct electricity, so stay well clear for your and your pets’ safety.

For more ways to Focus on Safety and for a full list of accredited tree surgeons visit the Evoenergy website www.evoenergy.com.au.