Close calls with electricity

Pandemic leads to more ‘backyard logging’

May 10, 2021 | 2:21 PM

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PRINCE GEORGE – While more people across the province are spending more time at home due to the pandemic, some of them are motivated to do more yard work projects.

A new BC Hydro report finds a concerning trend that electrical contact incidents involving ‘backyard loggers’ are up 30 per cent since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Since March of last year, there have been more than 100 incidents involving close calls with electricity in B.C.

BC Hydro reports most near misses causing power outages could have resulted in significant injury or death, as most of the power lines that service homes can carry up to 25 thousand volts.

BC Hydro urges anyone who cannot do their pruning or is unsure should contact a certified utility arborist to prune trees safely.