Each year farm equipment including tractors, combines, augers and more are at high risk of hitting power poles and Alliant Energy is reminding farmers to take precautions to stay safe. Justin Foss with Alliant Energy says they recommend 10 feet of clearance of power lines. Also, he states double check overhead for power lines as storms may have shifted poles and lines may be lower than last year. If you are in equipment and come in contact with power lines stay in your machine and call an energy company for assistance in exiting the vehicle safely.

Last week, Brighton lost power after someone hit a power pole’s steel support wire and two men lost their lives when their ladders hit power lines near Wellman Friday afternoon.

Safety checklist:
· Familiarize yourself with the location of all overhead and underground utility equipment, such as electrical meters, transformers,  the service panel at each of your buildings and natural gas meters, farm taps and pipeline markers
 
· If you are in a vehicle or piece of machinery that contacts a power line, stay in the vehicle until emergency personnel tells you it is safe to get out. If there is an immediate danger of a fire, jump out  and land with both feet together. Never touch the equipment and the ground at the same time. Shuffle away from the equipment without raising your feet
 
· Call 811 at least three business days before you do any digging, deep chisel plowing or tiling. Utility companies will locate their buried lines where you plan to work, for free. Respect the marks and then dig carefully

For more safety tips click here.