Happy first (official) day of fall! While you admire tree leaves as they transform to autumn hues, keep in mind these tips to help prevent tree-related power outages.
Most tree-related power outages are caused by seemingly healthy tree branches that have been broken and come into contact with power lines. High winds and storms can cause tree branches to break and fall onto lines, utility poles and other equipment, causing damage and service interruptions.
While ComEd has an extensive maintenance program in place which helps keep lines clear for distribution and transmission rights of way, the company understands there may still be a need for further assistance.
Here is what you can do to help prevent tree-related power outages:
1. Safety first. Never trim or send an underqualified person to trim trees, especially when located near power lines. Contact ComEd when planning to do any tree trimming work near electrical equipment and the company will advise you of assistance options.
2. Report potential issues. If you notice a broken tree limb lying on a power line or likely to fall on a power line, contact ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661) to assess the situation and make appropriate repairs.
3. Prune trees regularly. Proactive and regular pruning can help prevent storm damage to trees. Seek out an ISA Certified Arborist who can provide advice for improving the health of your trees. Pruning trees around power lines should only be attempted by line-clearance trained professionals.
4. Make smart planting choices. Fall is a great time to plant trees due to cooler temperatures. Before planting trees near power lines, ComEd recommends that you use advice from the Arbor Day Foundation and ComEd’s “The Power of Smart Planting” guidebook to select trees that will not interfere with power lines as they grow to maturity.
For more information, visit ComEd.com/trees
