Electrical Safety for Landscaping

Landscaping With Safety in Mind

Landscaping can do more than improve your home's appearance. The right trees, shrubs and outdoor features can provide shade, help lower heating and cooling costs, improve privacy and make your outdoor spaces more enjoyable.

But before you start digging, planting trees or installing outdoor lighting, it's important to consider what's around you. Overhead power lines, underground utilities and other electrical equipment can pose serious safety risks if you're not careful.

Whether you're planning a major landscaping project or doing routine yard work, follow these electrical safety tips to help prevent accidents and protect your property.

 

Digging Safely

Before digging for a landscaping project, contact 811 or submit an online request to have underground utilities marked. This free service helps you avoid damaging buried electric lines, gas pipes and other utilities.

Keep in mind that privately owned underground lines may not be included in the marking service and could require a private locator. Contact 811 before your project begins, allow the required time for utilities to respond and follow your state's safe digging requirements.

 

Planting Trees and Shrubs

In addition to contacting 811 before planting trees or shrubs, check for overhead power lines and nearby electrical equipment. Choose trees based on how tall and wide they'll grow, not just their size when planted. Keep tall-growing trees at least 20 feet from power lines, and consider planting them 50 feet away to avoid future trimming. For areas near power lines, choose smaller trees that will stay under 15 feet tall when fully grown.

Contact your local electric cooperative if you're unsure where it's safe to plant.

 

Trimming Trees Safely

Tree limbs and shrubs require trimming to look uniform and prevent overgrowth. Tree limbs can grow around power lines, making them dangerous to prune without proper equipment. It’s a smart idea to contact your local distribution cooperative about tree limbs that are growing close to power lines. 

Before trimming trees or shrubs, look up and check for nearby power lines. Keep yourself, your tools and ladders at least 10 feet away from overhead lines. Never attempt to trim branches growing near or into power lines. Always carry ladders horizontally to avoid contact. 

Contact your local electric cooperative for guidance on safely handling trees near electrical equipment.

 

Keeping Electrical Equipment Clear

While a pad-mount transformer box may seem unsightly to your yard’s aesthetic, it’s crucial to leave any outdoor electrical equipment clear for easy access. When power outages occur, local lineworkers may need to check transformers to get the affected area back online. Keep trees, shrubs, fences and other landscaping away from pad-mounted transformers and other electrical equipment. Check with your local electric cooperative before planting or installing anything near this equipment.

 

Outdoor Lighting Safety

Outdoor lighting can improve visibility and help prevent trips and falls around your home. Solar-powered lights are a convenient option because they don't require a connection to your home's electrical wiring.

For wired landscape lighting, choose products rated for outdoor use and follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. Use wiring approved for the application, and never assume that covering electrical cables with mulch provides enough protection. Any light fixtures you use outside need to be able to withstand moisture and significant temperature variance. Make sure any cables you use are in good shape and are plugged into GFCI outlets to help prevent electrical shocks. Hire a qualified electrician for wiring projects you're not trained to handle.

 

Learn More About Electrical Safety

Whether you’re planning to add on a brand-new deck or just want to plant a few shrubs to spruce up your yard, it’s essential to practice electrical safety for all landscaping endeavors. 

  • Call before you dig. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
  • Look up before pruning trees or trimming shrubs. Always be aware of powerlines nearby.
  • Keep transformer boxes and other electrical equipment clear of landscaping. Equipment needs to be accessible in case of emergency.
  • Use electrical and outdoor lighting equipment that’s rated for outdoor use. Use equipment that can withstand the conditions. Electrical equipment that doesn’t hold up can become a hazard.

For more great content on electrical safety, visit our outdoor safety page.