Hawaiian Electric Companies Offer New Year’s Safety Tips

MECO file photo by Wendy Osher.

As the New Year approaches, the Hawaiian Electric Companies has compiled a list of tips and reminders to help everyone celebrate safely as the holiday season continues. Below are some tips provided by Hawaiian Electric relating to fireworks, metallic balloons and drones:

Fireworks

Most people know fireworks are dangerous. Yet every year there are injuries and deaths associated with fireworks.

If you plan to use fireworks, take a moment to find the safest possible location. Keep away from flammable items, including shrubbery. Make sure to stay well clear of overhead power lines. Don’t hang fireworks (or anything else) on utility poles. Keep yourself, your ladder, pole, and tie lines at least 10 feet from power lines and poles.

If an object should become entangled in an overhead power line, don’t try to free it. To have the object removed safely, call Hawaiian Electric’s 24-hour trouble line at 1-855-304-1212. In an emergency situation, call 9-1-1. Electric customers on Maui Island may call their trouble line at (808) 871-7777 or toll-free from Lāna`i and Moloka`i at 1-877-871-8461. Hawai‘i Island customers should call 969-6666.

Weather, accidents, and metallic balloons

Other factors this holiday season can impact safety and the reliability of \electric service. Some causes are beyond the electric company’s control and, but HECO representatives say they will work hard to respond as quickly and as safely as they can. High winds and falling trees and branches, motor vehicle accidents and metallic balloons, in addition to fireworks, all can cause outages. In case of a power outage or if lights are flickering due to problems like high winds and tree branches affecting power delivery, it is always a good idea to unplug unneeded electric equipment, even if it is plugged into a surge suppressor.

Drones

This year brings a new concern. Flying drones have become popular gifts, but flying them near power lines and substations could lead to power outages and a short life for that new drone as well.

“If everyone takes extra care and precautions, our customers and community–and our hard working crews-can have a safe, happy and healthy start to 2016,” company officials said.