APS Encourages Safety Near Area Power Lines

APS wants to remind the public to stay clear of power lines, in light of recent instances where launched model rockets have landed on lines causing outages. In one case, the metallic streamers on the rocket served as a conductor linking together lines & caused an outage.

“The danger isn’t just the outages, but we’re concerned that youngsters releasing these rockets may be tempted to try to remove them from lines and risk electrocution,” said Bill Marshall, APS Mountain District area supervisor.

Here are a few tips:

* Keep all activities (i.e. launching rockets or flying kites) at least a half mile away from power lines.
* Don't attempt to remove kites, rockets, balloons or other items that may get caught in a power line. Contact the APS Globe office at 1-800-253-9405 to alert them of items that could cause an outage.
* Use non-conductive materials. Metallic streamers commonly used on many models can serve as a conductor of electricity.