With the windy season upon us, Endeavour Energy is encouraging people to secure loose outdoor furniture and building materials so they don’t get blown into powerlines.
August heralds the start of the windy season for NSW with wind speeds picking up across the Blue Mountains, Sydney, the Illawarra and South Coast.
“Nearly thirty percent of all unplanned power outages each year are the result of wind and storms,” said Endeavour Energy’s general manager asset management, Ty Christopher.
“Typically we see damaging winds in August and September which can uproot trees, lift roofs and bring down powerlines.
“We are asking property owners to take some simple precautions to maintain public safety and reduce the risk of power interruptions.”
Mr Christopher said strong winds caused considerable damage with falling trees, roofing and backyard trampolines becoming entangled in powerlines.
“We’d like customers to help keep the lights on and people safe by taking a few minutes to secure or put away any loose outdoor items.
“Securing garden furniture, play equipment and building materials which can become airborne in strong winds will stop them from being blown away to damage powerlines and other property.
“These items have the potential to bring powerlines down, risking public safety and causing widespread power interruptions.
“Check the trees on your property to make sure they are at least 2.5 metres away from powerlines.
“If your trees need trimming, hire a qualified arborist to safely remove branches too close to powerlines as electricity can arc across to metal objects like ladders and saws.”
Mr Christopher said that when storms hit, it was important for the public to stay well clear of storm debris or damaged trees as they could hide fallen powerlines.
“If you come across damaged or fallen powerlines, keep yourself and others well clear and report it to Endeavour Energy immediately on 131 003 so our people can repair them quickly and safely.”