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Electric Safety

Electrical Safety Tips at Home


Check electrical cords for worn spots or frayed wires. Don't mend it—replace it! Homemade repairs are a common source of fires.

Use extension cords sparingly and only on a temporary basis. Too many appliances plugged into one cord causes overheating. Overheated wires start one of every six home fires.

Don't place power cords under carpets, rugs, or furniture. Also, never staple or nail cords to walls, baseboards, or other objects.

Don't use multiplug sockets. Overloading sockets can lead to electrical fires.

Keep flammable materials away from lamps and heaters. Place electric heaters away from well-traveled areas where someone might trip and fall.

Place electrical appliances a safe distance from sinks and tubs.

Inspect electrical outlets on a regular basis. Look for overheating, loose connections, and corrosion. Outlets that have loose-fitting plugs can lead to arcing and fire.

Never remove the third prong from a plug to make it fit a two-prong outlet. This could lead to an electrical shock.

If an outlet or switch wall plate is hot to the touch, immediately shut off the circuit and have a professional check it.

Replace any missing or broken wall plates.

Install safety covers on all unused outlets so children can't play with them.

Electrical Safety Tips Outside


If you see fallen power lines or damaged electrical equipment, call 1-877-434-4100 immediately. Do not touch it or try to fix it yourself.

Stay away from transmission line towers, utility poles, substation fences, and any other facility marked with "Danger High Voltage" signs.

Do not use extension cords or other electrical products outdoors unless they are specified for outdoor use.

If an electrical product falls into water, don’t touch it. If you and the plug are both dry, pull the plug, not the cord, from the outlet. Or, use the circuit breaker to shut off the power.

Do not fly kites in areas with overhead power lines.

If a power line falls on your car while you're in it, don't get out. The car's rubber tires provide protective insulation. Honk your horn, call for help, and wait for first responders. Tell others to stay away from the car while you wait for help to arrive.

When using a ladder near overhead wires, stay back at least 10 feet, use only a fiberglass ladder, and do not let the ladder come in contact with the wires. Never use a metal or wooden ladder near overhead lines. If the ladder starts to fall into an overhead line, let it fall and call us at 1-877-434-4100 immediately.

Electrical Safety of Orange and Rockland Equipment

We conduct safety tests and inspections of O&R-owned and municipal electric facilities and pad mounted transformers located on many of our customers' front yards. Inspection of such facilities, which has been ordered by the [New York State Public Service Commission (PSC)]( http://www.dps.ny.gov), is important to preserving public safety and energy reliability. This program requires that all electrical facilities be inspected once every five years.

Find out more about Electrical Safety Inspections

Working Near Our Overhead Electric Lines

Developers, contractors, equipment operators, and anyone else intending to work near our overhead electric lines needs to submitting a Work Clearance Request to O&R, as well as observe various compliance actions imposed by local, state, and federal authorities.

Get O&R's Field Safety Guide

Schedule a Safety Inspection Appointment

If you have O&R equipment on your property, it needs a safety inspection every five years. It’s easy and free to do.

Schedule Your Appointment

Access to Our Equipment

Part of safety is being able to access our equipment. If you have O&R equipment on your property, help by following our access guidelines.

See the Guidelines
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