22 October 2008 17:12 Hot shots don't fire at power lines

Shooting at or near to power lines, whether intentional or not, is dangerous and when deliberate is totally irresponsible. That's the message from Central Networks to all shooting enthusiasts at the start of this year's shooting season.

Following a number of safety incidents involving power lines in recent months, Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, is calling on all shooters to be safe and responsible.

Nigel Vardy, a control engineer for Central Networks and himself a shooting enthusiast, said: "We've had a number of incidents where insulators on our power lines have been damaged or broken as a result of both accidental and deliberate shooting incidents.

"It's so important people are aware of the potential dangers, so they can avoid risking not only their own lives but also the lives of those within the area."

Overhead power lines can carry up to 132,000 volts of electricity and any damage to them can result in fires, loss of power supply to local homes and businesses, as well as causing a major inconvenience to local residents.

To avoid accidental damage to the network, shooters should always:

• Shoot away from any power lines;
• Check for overhead lines when you arrive and familiarise yourself with them, remember some may be disguised behind trees and wooded areas; and
• Avoid using poles as a leaning post or to support equipment.

"It's important to remember that high voltage energy can jump and you don't have to actually be touching a line or be in contact with it to be electrocuted. There is a real risk of power jumping at these voltages, so why take the risk," said Nigel.

 - Ends -

Notes to editors:

• Central Networks brings power to 4.9 million customers across central England through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;
• Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For more information contact:

Rebecca Mara on 02476 183 679