06 July 2010 15:20 Don’t go fishing for danger, Central Networks warns Midlands anglers

Last summer an angler received serious electrical burns after their fishing rod came into to contact with an overhead line. To avoid a repeat this year, Central Networks is urging anglers to take care with their equipment, and is attending events this month to make sure everyone gets the message.

Phil Wilson, Central Networks' Customer Operations Manager, said: "Fishing rods and power lines can be a dangerous combination, so we're urging anglers to take extra care by checking for overhead lines when they are out fishing.

"Modern fishing poles are long enough to reach overhead power lines that can carry a potentially fatal voltage of up to 132,000 volts. The rod doesn't even have to come into contact with the line to cause injury."

Anglers can ensure they stay safe by following these steps:

• Always look out and look up for overhead lines before rods are assembled and before fishing begins;
• It is not easy to estimate the heights and distances of overhead lines from the ground and an adequate safety distance must be must be kept to avoid accidental contact;
• Fish at least 30 metres (100ft) horizontally away from all overhead lines;
• Contact or near contact must be avoided as it is extremely dangerous, particularly if the object is an electrical conductor, for example a rod or pole, lead coated fishing line or even a damp nylon line;
• If you own, lease or make fishing waters available where overhead lines are present, please ensure visible safety signs have been erected;
• Always tell children never to fish near overhead lines as they may not be able to calculate the distance required.

Central Networks is attending the following events to provide advice to anglers and give out information and tackle box stickers to remind anglers to look up for overhead power lines before casting their fishing line this summer:

• 17-18 July Go Fishing Show, Cudmore Fisheries, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffordshire; and
• 23-25 July CLA Game Fair, Ragley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire.

Safety leaflets are available to download from Central Networks' website, http://www.central-networks.co.uk/.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Central Networks provides a reliable supply to 10 million people in central England through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables - enough to go round the Earth more than three times - and via almost 94,000 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 further information contact:

Alisha Allen on 02476 192 063