The month of May offers beautiful, warmer weather in western North Carolina, drawing us outdoors for home improvement activities. A focus on electrical safety awareness can help ensure these projects do not result in injuries and deaths. Following a few simple safety rules can help reduce the number of electrical deaths and injuries:

• Ladders — even those made of wood — that come into contact with a power line can prove fatal. Keep all ladders at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.

• Unplug outdoor tools and appliances when not in use

• Inspect power tools and appliances for frayed cords, broken plugs, and cracked or broken housing. Repair or replace damaged items.

• Water and electricity do not mix. Avoid damp conditions — including wet grass — when using electricity.

• If working on landscape, call 811 before you dig to have underground power lines located and marked. Hitting an underground utility line while digging can harm the environment, cause serious personal injuries, disrupt service to an entire neighborhood and potentially incur fines and repair costs. Call at least 48 hours before digging