• Electricity is always seeking a path to the ground through a conductor. Common conductors outdoors are:

  • Water

  • Trees and tree branches (they’re water-rich)

  • Metal equipment such as ladders, chainsaws, trimmers, and gutters

  • Other materials you might not expect to conduct, such as wood or concrete

  • Humans and animals (we’re water-rich, too)

• Conductors don’t actually have to touch a wire to cause trouble so always keep yourself and your equipment at least 20 feet away from power lines. It’s not only safe, it’s also the law.

Bottom line? If it’s near a power line, don’t touch it.