SAFE DIGGING MONTH
As April marks the traditional start of digging season, Florence Utilities strongly encourages residents and professionals to stay safe by calling 8-1-1 at least three working days prior to any project that disturbs the soil in any way. If your outdoor projects include excavation (move, remove or displace earth, rock or other material in or on the ground), grade, trench, dig, drill, augur, tunnel, scrape, plow cable or pipe, state law requires that you notify Diggers Hotline. Diggers Hotline is Wisconsin’s statewide one-call notification system. It gives excavators and the general public the ability to notify multiple owners of underground facilities with a single call so a locator will mark the approximate location of your underground lines, pipes and cables so you will know what is below and be able to dig safely. Plan ahead! Remember to allow three working days (excluding weekends and holidays) before you dig. Stay safe by calling Diggers Hotline at 8-1-1. It is free. It is the law. For more information on Wisconsin's Digger's Hotline program, please visit www.diggershotline.com or call Florence Utilities at 715-528-3330.
NATURAL GAS SAFETY
Know Where to Dig – The best way to avoid disrupting utility service in your area or being injured is to know the location of buried natural gas pipelines. The depth of natural gas pipelines varies and there may be other utilities buried in the same area. The most common cause of underground natural gas leaks is damage from digging. Encourage your neighbors and contractors to “call before they dig” whenever they plan to landscape, install a fence, build a deck or do any other kind of excavating, anywhere. It’s the law.
Before You Dig – Dial 811 – One easy phone call to 811 instantly begins the process of getting underground gas pipelines and other utilities marked on residential, public or commercial property. Diggers Hotline will contact the appropriate utility companies, who send crews out to mark the location of underground utilities within three days. The service is free of charge.
Detecting Leaks – Natural gas is one of the safest, most reliable and environmentally friendly fuels in use today, but leaks can occur. Look Blowing dirt, bubbling streams or ponds, dry spots in moist areas or dead vegetation surrounded by green, live plants may indicate a gas leak. Listen. An unusual hissing sound near gas lines or appliances is an indication of a natural gas leak. Smell. In its raw state, natural gas is colorless and odorless. Utility companies use a substance called mercaptan to create the familiar, rotten egg like odor associated with natural gas. Take action even if you only detect a slight odor of natural gas.
If You Detect a Leak – Leave the area immediately. Do not try to find or stop the leak. Don’t Touch. Do not smoke; use a cell phone or a flashlight. Do not turn on or off any lights or appliances or operate any vehicle or equipment that could create a spark. Dial from a location away from the leak immediately call Florence Utilities and 911. Wait for professionals to arrive. Do not go back into any building where you smell gas. For more information regarding natural gas safety visit florenceutilitieswi.com.
MORATORIUM ENDS APRIL 15
The winter moratorium on residential service disconnection ends April 15th. After April 15th, utilities statewide may begin to disconnect service to customers who are past due on payment of their utility bills. Florence Utilities is advising customers who are behind on their bills to contact our office to discuss payment arrangements. Customers with outstanding balances are urged to call 715-528-3330 as soon as possible. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 pm and Friday from 7:00 am to 11:00 am. The utility will gladly discuss various payment options available to customers, which includes accepting credit card payments. Any customer who fails to set up arrangements or pay the outstanding balance on their account will be issued a final disconnect notice prior to any action taking place.
BE AWARE OF POWER LINES
Florence Utilities reminds residents to take proper steps to ensure their safety when working near power lines. It is critical to always treat power lines and electrical equipment as if they are energized; and know that you don’t have to touch a line to be seriously injured. Tools, tree limbs, ladders and other equipment can conduct electricity. This applies to power lines on utility poles as well as those entering your home or buildings.
Keep this in mind if you are planning to plant trees or bushes this summer. Make sure you are aware of power lines and other utility equipment in the area – both above and below the ground. A tree growing near a power line can cause a potential power outage or safety risk. A tree growing too close to overhead power lines gives electricity a path from the power lines to the tree which can result in electrical outages, fires and shock hazards. Be aware. Stay safe.