4 electrical hazards to avoid around the house this spring

Ameren offers crucial home electrical safety advice for customers 

ST. LOUIS, March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Spring is about to arrive, and the longer days will inspire homeowners to get outdoor projects underway. But before getting started, it is important to be aware of the electrical safety hazards you may encounter.

"Starting on outdoor projects is a great way to welcome the warmer weather, but it's crucial to be aware of potential electrical hazards at home," said Tim Frankenberg, fire safety engineer for Ameren. "A little prevention goes a long way in keeping your family safe."

Ameren's four electrical safety hazards to avoid this spring:

1. Electric equipment near water – Water and electricity don't mix, so a great rule of thumb is to keep electric equipment at least 10 feet away from wet areas. You should also plug into ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), which are designed to shut off the power as needed to prevent a shock. These are typically found in kitchens, bathrooms, garages and outdoors. It is highly encouraged that GFCIs are tested monthly. 
   
   
2. Underground utilities – You can disrupt utility service, including electric, natural gas and more, and even put your life in danger by failing to have underground utility lines clearly marked before digging. Plan the simple do-it-yourself projects that may seem small, including planting trees or installing a mailbox. Call 811 at least three business days before you dig to mark the underground utilities. 
   
   
3. Overhead power lines – Stay clear of power lines and wires when trimming vegetation, raising ladders and performing outdoor home maintenance. Always assess your surroundings while trimming or working in your yard or simply call a certified professional to safely handle the work. Remain at least 10 feet away from any overhead power line near your home. 
   
   
4. Indoor electrical cords and electronics for outdoors – Before plugging into an exterior electrical socket, double-check that your cords, lights or fans are rated for outdoor use. Look for labels on packaging that clearly mark them as suitable for outdoor use. Also, avoid running cords through door or window openings where they can be damaged, and pair them with GFCIs instead. 

Ameren provides a variety of safety tips for customers, including how to be safe around water and electricity, severe weather preparedness, natural gas leak detection, electrical fire safety, Call Before You Dig, and general safety reminders. All of Ameren's customer safety tips can be found at Ameren.com/Safety.

About Ameren Corporation 
St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.5 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission and distribution services, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns and operates rate-regulated regional electric transmission projects in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn.com/company/Ameren. 

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SOURCE Ameren Corporation