Property owners are responsible for keeping trees clear from these lines. Electricity Ashburton's Trees department are qualified to trim or remove trees near power lines that may pose a problem. With the landowners consent, we can fell problem trees at our cost in order to prevent continual interruptions to the power supply. Or you can hire any qualified arborist or do it yourself. But remember, service lines are dangerous so always arrange a time to have your power supply temporarily disconnected before working near service lines. For more information or to arrange temporary disconnections, call us on (03) 307 9800.

Tree huts

Before building a tree hut check that the tree is nowhere near power lines. This should ensure that children will not be able to come into contact with the power lines where they could be seriously injured or even killed.

Items on lines or branches

Before climbing a tree to retrieve an item caught on a branch, check there are no power lines near the tree or the item. And if you tangle an item on a power line, call Electricity Ashburton on (03) 307 9800 to arrange for an Electricity Ashburton faultsperson to come and remove it. NEVER TRY TO REMOVE IT YOURSELF.

The Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003

Under the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003 tree owners are legally required to keep their trees clear of network-owned power lines. This is for everyone's safety as trees can cause lines to clash or break, interrupting power supply and causing serious risk of electrocution or fire. And anyone - especially children - climbing a tree near power lines is at risk of serious injury or even death by touching the lines accidentally. The regulations will help prevent such accidents. 

View the Tree Regulations here

Follow these overhead power lines safety tips:

If you are handling any tall object near power lines, keep an eye on what is above you - don't let it come in contact with power lines. You should keep yourself and any objects you are handling, at least four metres away from overhead power lines.

Look up

Watch out for overhead lines around boat ramps, mast-heads or when towing your boat on land. Serious injury or even death can occur when a mast comes into contact with power lines. So look up, and be aware of where the lines are before you start positioning the boat, especially when backing the boat into position.

An electric shock

In the event of an electrical shock, don't touch the victim until you are certain the source of electricity has been removed. Call 111.

If a boat mast has brought down the power lines around a car, the safest way to avoid electric shock is for occupants to stay in the car until help arrives. They should only try to get away from the car if another urgent matter, such as a fire in the car, forces them to evacuate.

In General

Overhead electricity lines are not insulated and if contact - or near contact - is made with them by anything capable of conducting electricity - including fishing rods and lines, kites or model plane controls, the electricity will pass through the object with the risk of injuring or killing anyone holding or near to the object. Be aware that a truck, crane, forklift, irrigation pipe, marquee, boat mast (ashore or on the water) or even a tall ladder accidentally touching an overhead power line can lead to serious injury or death. If you are planning some home maintenance such as painting or trimming trees, be careful when you are working in the vicinity of power lines where they enter your house. These lines are not safe to touch.

Items on lines

If you tangle an item on a power line, call Electricity Ashburton on (03) 307 9800 to arrange for an Electricity Ashburton service team to come and remove it. Never try to remove it yourself.

Broken lines or damaged poles

Call Electricity Ashburton Faults on (03) 307 9800 to report broken lines or damaged poles.

Treat all power lines as live at all times and keep everyone, especially children, well clear of the area.

If a car has hit a pole and brought down the power lines, the safest way to avoid electric shock is for occupants to stay in the car until help arrives. They should only try to get away from the car if another urgent matter, such as a fire in the car, forces them to evacuate. If they must leave the car before help arrives, they need to jump clear, being careful not to touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time.

If you hit an underground cable

If you damage an electrical cable, contact us immediately. Call Electricity Ashburton Faults on (03) 307 9800 to report the damage, treat the cable as live and keep all people well away from the area.

Lines clashing

In high winds, power lines can clash together, making bright flashes and loud bangs and can cause power surges and outages.

Electricity Ashburton can install a separator on the lines to prevent clashing. To report clashing lines call Electricity Ashburton Faults on (03) 307 9800 and we will arrange for a faults person to assess whether a lines separator is required.

Items on lines

If you tangle an item on a power line, call Electricity Ashburton on (03) 307 9800 to arrange for an Electricity Ashburton service team to come and remove it. Never try to remove it yourself. 

Appliance safety

Stay clear of live wires. Make sure cords on appliances

Are not frayed or damaged, and plugs are not loose or broken.

Don't overload power points or multi-boards. Too many plugs in a single power point can cause a fire.

Always pull the plug, not the cord.

Don't use a utensil to get toast out of the toaster. Unplug the toaster, let it cool down, then remove the toast.

Extension cords

Make sure the cord is not frayed or cracked and is fully unrolled. A rolled up extension cord could heat up when the power is on, causing the insulation to melt and possibly catch fire.

Keep cords out of traffic areas where people could trip over them.

Never nail or staple cords to the wall, baseboard or to any other object. In the process, you could pierce the cord and be seriously injured.

Do not run cords under carpets or rugs or rest any furniture on them.

If you are planning to use an extension cord long term, it will be safer to get an electrician to wire a new power point in for you near the appliance you are using.

Electric blankets

Always have your electric blankets checked annually before using them. The fabric of a blanket can become worn and thin after regular use and while, it may function normally, the blanket could overheat. You can get your blankets tested by a registered electrician or service centre.

The Heater-Metre Rule

Keep all furniture, clothes and curtains at least one metre away from heaters and fire places.

Baby safe

Put childproof safety caps over power points when there are children, toddlers and babies around, although modern, shuttered-type power points should be safe. If you are in doubt, get a registered electrician to check for you.

Around the bath

To prevent electric shock in the bath, use battery power for the radio or CD player instead of electricity. Keep hairdryers well away from water. There are strict regulations regarding the installation of appliances in bathrooms - always use a registered electrician.

Use an RCD

When using power tools, always use a Residual Current Device (RCD), or an isolating transformer. Connect the RCD as close as possible to the power point.

In an electrical fire

Never use water to extinguish an electrical fire. Electricity can be conducted through the water to the person attempting to extinguish the fire which may result in serious shock. Use a multipurpose fire extinguisher designed for electrical fires, wood/paper fires, and flammable liquids. Call 111.

An electric shock

In the event of an electrical shock, don't touch the victim until you are certain the source of electricity is turned off. Unplug the appliance or turn off power at the main switch. Call 111.  

Disconnect the power

When painting or water blasting the house, or doing work around the roof, you could come into contact with the power lines where they enter your house. These lines are not safe to touch. If you slip, reach out accidentally, or hit the lines with water from the water blaster or hose you could receive a serious shock. Remove the risk. Call Electricity Ashburton before you start on (03) 307 9800 to arrange a time for a temporary power disconnection. A nominal fee will apply.

Use a portable generator or arrange with a neighbour to plug into their supply to complete your work. A service team will arrange to reconnect your supply once you have finished working in that area.

Check before you dig

Before you landscape, dig out a pool, or do other major digging in the garden, use our cable location service to avoid digging into underground lines or gas pipes. It will take two working days to process your request, so plan ahead to avoid the risk. Don't put your property, life or the lives of others at risk. Always get service reference maps or have your services located before you start digging - they might not be where you think they are.

Call Electricity Ashburton before you dig.

Please be aware that a charge will apply for locating your privately owned service lines. Assistance will be provided free of charge for location of Electricity Ashburton owned network lines.

Working near power poles

If you plan to excavate within five metres of one of our power poles, by law you must have a Close Approach Consent form (link). Depending on the depth of excavations, you may need additional pole supports to prevent poles collapsing. For your protection, contact Electricity Ashburton before you start any work.

Ladders, poles and masts

Always look up before extending ladders, boat masts, poles or pipes, or using a forklift or other high apparatus. If you don't, you could hit overhead power lines, causing serious injury and even death.

Check aerial clearance

Before installing a clothesline, TV antenna or other high structure, check for clearance of overhead power lines.

Use a professional

Always use a registered electrical worker with a current practicing licence for all electrical repairs and ask for a certificate of compliance after the work is complete.

Use an RCD

When using power tools indoors, or any appliance outdoors, always use a Residual Current Device (RCD), or an isolating transformer. Connect the RCD as close as possible to the power point.

Items on lines

If you tangle an item on a power line, call Electricity Ashburton to have a service team come and remove it. Never try to remove an object from a power line yourself.

If you hit a cable

If you damage an electrical cable, contact us immediately. Call (03) 307 9800 to report the damage, treat the cable as live and keep all people well away from the area. Never cover a damaged cable and do not try to correct the situation - call Electricity Ashburton immediately.

In an electrical fire

Never use water to extinguish an electrical fire. Electricity can be conducted through the water to the person attempting to extinguish the fire which may result in serious shock. Use a multipurpose fire extinguisher designed for electrical fires, wood/paper fires, and flammable liquids. Call 111.

An electric shock

In the event of an electrical shock, don't touch the victim until you are certain the source of electricity is turned off. Unplug the appliance or turn off power at the main switch. Call 111.