Vector wants you to stay safe this summer

Vector wants you to stay safe this summer

Summer only comes once a year and we want you to enjoy every minute of it. Stay safe and have some fun in the sun with these safety tips.

• Keep electric radios, TVs, clocks, barbecues, lights and other electrical appliances at least three metres from a pool and wet surfaces.
• Fly kites, drones and model aeroplanes in an open field – not near power lines.
• Watch overhead when boating. Masts, fishing poles, or tall radio antennae could contact overhead lines
• Call your electricity retailer before using a ladder close to lines to arrange a disconnection. We can then turn the power off to the lines near your house making it safer to do work near them.
• If you are using a ladder near power lines, keep yourself, the ladder and anything you are handling at least four metres away from overhead power lines.
• Use a licensed electrical worker for all electrical repairs.
• Plant trees well away from power lines and choose low growing vegetation. Get branches trimmed if required (they must be more than four metres away from power lines).
• Before installing a clothesline, TV antenna or anything up high, check the clearance from power lines.
• When using electrical equipment outdoors, always use a Residual Current Device (RCD) or an isolating transformer, available at your local hardware store.
• If you’re outside during an electrical storm seek shelter. The best shelter is a house; jump in your vehicle; or, seek low ground. Sit or lie down - it may be
uncomfortable, but it may save your life.

Network summary for week ending 21 December 2014

Electricity
Stormy weather conditions were the cause of outages on the network during the week, particularly in these areas: Wellsford, Red Beach, Henderson, Titirangi, Araparapara, Kaipara Flats, Kaukapakapa, Manurewa, Helensville, Point Chevalier, Laingholm, Coatesville, Forrest Hill, Albany and Takanini.
Poles had to be replaced at car v. pole incidents in Papakura, Mt Smart, Mangere, Forrest Hill and Ardmore. There was an additional car v. pole incident during the week in Eden Terrace.
House/building fires were reported in Mt Albert, Whitford, Takapuna, Central Auckland and on Waiheke during the week. In the Central Auckland case, power was isolated to parts of Queen Street for safety reasons. At the Waiheke incident, our customer had to be referred to a private electrician.
Gas

At the request of emergency services, we isolated gas supply to a house fire in Mt Albert during the week.

Third party damage to our gas network happened in Red Beach and Birkenhead. Our crews attended, assessed the sites, and checked for safety.

Shorts

• Vector owns over 18,000 kilometres of overhead and underground lines in the greater Auckland area, and 12,752 of gas pipe lines, almost half of which supply gas to Auckland.

• Vector, proud sponsor of the Arena.

ENDS

© Scoop Media