WHO WE ARE
•Identifying City of Redding Electric Utility employees
•Our service area responsibilities
ABOUT ELECTRICITY
•Reliability
•Common causes of outages
WHAT TO DO IF THE POWER GOES OUT
•About power outages
•Be prepared
•Tips for power outages
•Life support equipment
•Portable generators
•Computer tips
SAFETY FIRST
•Important safety tips
•Safety around overhead power lines
•Safety around buried power lines
•Safety around trees near power lines
•Safety for kids near power lines
STREET LIGHTING
•Reporting problems
•Streetlight problems
TREES NEAR POWER LINES
•Right tree, right place
•Before you plant
•Selecting the right tree
•Some recommended trees
•Safety - look up, look out, and live
•Link to ISA
DIGGING AROUND BURIED POWER LINES
•Underground Service Alert (USA)

REDDING ELECTRIC PLACES SAFETY FIRST
Electricity is a powerful tool and, like all tools, it needs to be used properly. These safety tips can help you stay safe in and around your home or office and help you prepare for an emergency. Few things improve our lives more than electricity. From cooking appliances to lifesaving hospital equipment, we depend on electricity every day. That makes electrical safety especially important: coming into direct contact with electrical current can severely injure or even kill you. These tips can help you stay safe and secure, no matter where you are.
• Never touch a power line, even on the ground.
• Consider a downed wire to be "live" with electrical current going through it. If you see a downed power line, call the Redding Electric Utility's 24 hour emergency number at 245-7000.
• Replace or repair broken electrical appliances. Damaged equipment or wires can give you a powerful shock when touched.
• If you have electrical equipment on your property, keep it accessible at all times. If it belongs to Redding Electric Utility, our employees may need to get to it quickly and safely in order to do their jobs, especially in an emergency.
• Don't climb on or try to repair any City of Redding Electric Utility equipment.
• Ensure access to electrical panels and breakers so that a breaker can be turned off quickly in cases of emergencies.

Trees Near Power Lines

Right Tree, Right Place Link to ISA
A tree - planted in the appropriate area - can make your home and your community a nicer place to live. In the summer, trees shade your house from the summer sun, reducing temperatures indoors. In the winter, trees act as windbreaks, shielding your home from cold winter winds. Trees can also add to the value of your home. However, trees planted under or near power lines are potentially deadly hazards. Serious or fatal shocks can occur if your children play in trees near power lines, or if you come into contact with power lines while working outdoors. Using the common sense "right tree, right place" guidelines, you can enjoy the beauty of a tree planted in the right location, without having to worry about the dangers posed when a tree is located near power lines. Select a tree or shrub that will not reach 25 feet or more in height at maturity, and whose trunks and branches will not reach within ten feet of power lines when fully grown.

Before You Plant
Before you plant a tree, first make sure your selected ground is safe - both above ground from overhead lines, and below ground from underground power lines and other utilities. If you plan to dig near buried power lines in the City, first call the Under Ground Service Alert (USA) Notification Center at 1-800-227-2600. All utilities who have buried facilities will respond to your request to locate any underground lines. Each utility will mark the location of any buried lines or pipes in the area where you are planning to excavate. If you are unsure if there are underground lines in your area - call the Redding Electric Utility Distribution Field Operation office at 224-4384 at least 48 hours before you dig. You can help prevent power outages by checking the power lines in trees. For more information about power outages, you can contact Redding Electric Utility at 224-4384.
Selecting the Right Tree
Unfortunately, some of the trees most commonly associated with Northern California are also among the worst offenders to plant near power lines, such as eucalyptus, sycamore and ash trees. See the list below for recommended trees, or consult your local nursery or arborist to suggest small, "patio"-type trees which may be appropriate for our climate zone. You may also call the Redding Electric Utility at 224-4384 to schedule a meeting with one of our Certified Arborists.
Some Recommended Trees:
African Sumac, Amur Maple (Flame), California Bay, Crabapple (many types), Dwarf Naval Orange, Evergreen Pear, Purple Leaf Plum, Saucer Magnolia, Western Redbud, Crape Myrtle.

WHAT TO DO IF THE POWER GOES OUT
• Check your fuse or breaker for blown fuses or tripped circuits. If they're okay, check to see if your neighbors are without power. If all your neighbors have power, and the outage is related to your service only, chances are the problem is with one of your fuses or breakers.
• Call the Redding Electric Utility at 245-7000 immediately to report the outage. Please call only once so other customers can get through. If you get a recorded message, then all lines are busy while other customers call to report outages.
• Turn off all electrical equipment, including your water heater, electric furnace or heaters, stove, washer and dryer, stereo and TV, to help prevent overloading the system when power is restored. (Major appliances can be turned off at the breaker box.) Do, however, turn on a porch light and one inside light so you and the Redding Electric Utility's crews will know when service is restored.
• Listen to a radio (battery powered) for updates on major storm outages. You can also call Redding Electric Utility at 339-7300 or, 224-4384 for updated outage information.
• If your neighbors' power comes back on and yours does not, call the Redding Electric Utility again at 245-7000.

Be prepared
Severe weather might cause damage interrupting your electric service. Every household should have an emergency kit tucked into a cupboard in case of a power outage.
Your kit should contain:
• This list
• Flashlight and batteries (check for good condition periodically)
• Candles, holders and matches
• Battery powered radio
• Extra batteries (change batteries periodically)
• Manual can opener
• Battery-powered or windup alarm clock
Other handy items to consider having available:
Bottled water, sanitary water containers (if you rely on electricity to pump water), a thermos, firewood and kindling, camp lights and lanterns (do not use kerosene lanterns indoors unless you have proper ventilation), first-aid kit.

TIPS FOR POWER OUTAGES
While the power is out, your cold food supplies can be saved by following these simple tips:
Frozen Foods
If your freezer is full, food will stay frozen for about two days (depending on the weather at the time). If it is less than half full, frozen food will remain frozen for about one day. Cover the freezer with blankets, quilts or sleeping bags to further insulate the freezer and help food stay frozen longer. After power is restored, check all frozen foods to determine the extent of thawing. Dispose of any food that is discolored or smells spoiled.
Refrigerated Food
To avoid losing cold air in your refrigerator, don't open doors unnecessarily. Meat and fish spoil quickly at temperatures above 40 degrees F. Other quick-spoiling foods include milk, custards, creamed foods and any foods containing mayonnaise or eggs. Cooked and cured meat will keep for several days in a closed refrigerator. Hard cheeses keep well, even at room temperature. Again, if in doubt throw it out. You might also try placing bags of ice in the refrigerator, or place food in a cooler or ice chest.
Heating
Never use charcoal briquettes to cook or heat food indoors. Charcoal briquettes produce carbon monoxide. Odorless and colorless, a build-up of carbon monoxide can be deadly. Power outages can occur any time of the year. However, during cold weather the temperature inside your home can drop rapidly. Consider taking these simple precautions to stay warm safely and save body heat.
• Wear a hat even while sleeping.
• Wear loose layers of clothing to trap body heat.
• Keep moving: exercise generates body heat.
• Use plenty of blankets, and a hot-water bottle if you're able to heat water. Be alert for signs of hypothermia (a drop in core body temperature) especially in infants and the elderly. Even air temperatures of 65 degrees F can trigger hypothermia, and some medical conditions can make people more susceptible. If someone has a body temperature below 95 degrees, call for medical help. Check on elderly neighbors too.
• Lock in home heat. Pick one room on the sunny side of the house and close it off to keep the heat in. Use blankets to insulate cracks around windows and doors. Use heat sources safely.
• Keep firefighting materials handy: salt, baking soda, heavy blankets and a fire extinguisher.
• Never use kerosene heaters unless you have proper ventilation-they create harmful fumes.

PORTABLE GENERATORS
Owners of portable or auxiliary generators should note these precautions. Never plug your generator into a wall outlet. The electricity generated by a generator cannot only ruin your home's wiring and start a fire, it will also feed back into the utility system and energize a line thought to be without power. An unsuspecting City of Redding Electric Utility lineman could be seriously injured or killed by contacting lines that have been back-fed from a portable generator.
Permanently installed auxiliary generators must meet electric codes and have a transfer switch to prevent dangerous back-feed of electricity into power lines. Contact a licensed electrician. Also, please notify Redding Electric Utility if you have a permanent generator installed at your home or business.
Portable generators are gasoline-powered and should always be placed in a well-ventilated area. Use an indoor/outdoor, grounded (three-prong) extension cord to connect your generator to an appliance.

COMPUTER TIPS
If you have a home computer, it's a good idea to protect your work before any outage. Here are some computer related power tips:
• Rule one is to remember to save your files regularly. Auto-save back-up programs will do the work for you and are available at any computer store.
• Install a surge protector. Don't confuse a power strip with a surge protector - good surge protectors (also known as transitory volt suppressors) cost about $70, and they will protect your computer from surges that follow any sort of power disturbance. They are available at most office supply, computer and home improvement stores.
• You might want to also consider an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). A UPS is a battery back-up system that supplies power for about 15 minutes - long enough for you to save all work and shut the computer down. You can find a UPS at most office supply computer stores. Make sure it is UL-1 778 listed, and be aware that you cannot use a UPS to power a printer or copier.

SAFETY AROUND OVERHEAD POWER LINES
Electricity travels the path of least resistance. Because there is hardly any difference to electricity between a human body and an electrical wire, if you come in contact with electricity, it will pass through your body if your body creates a good path. Especially if your body is in contact with a ground such as a water pipe or metal appliance.
Electrical shock can cause serious injury or death. A few simple precautions can help you work safely around electricity.
If you see a fallen power line, call the Redding Electric Utility at 245-7000. Call 911 immediately if it is a medical or life-threatening emergency. Assume all downed lines to be "live" power lines. If you see a line lying on the ground, consider it energized even if you don't see any sparks or other obvious signs that it is energized.
Remember, if a power line is touching someone, stay away and don't touch them. If you attempt rescue, you could easily become a victim yourself. Call for emergency help. If a downed power line falls across your vehicle, stay in the vehicle. Do not get out!
When installing any kind of antenna (TV, radio, CB), be sure there is more than enough space between the antenna and any overhead power lines. The minimum clearance recommended is at least twice the height of the antenna with a regulatory requirement of at least 10 feet.
Electrical tools for outdoor use should have heavier wiring, be properly insulated and have a three-way grounded plug. Most tools currently on the market carry UL labels and are outdoor rated if they are appropriate for outdoor use. Outdoor electrical outlets must be grounded and have weather proof covers.
If you are wet or touching water, don't touch any electrical appliance or tool. Keep electrical equipment at least 10 feet away from pools, spas and wet surfaces. Never touch fences, ladders, or other metal objects that are leaning on or touching power lines.

SAFETY AROUND BURIED POWER LINES
Underground power lines might be buried as shallow as 18 inches. If your shovel cuts a power line, electricity might pass through the shovel, injuring you. If you plan to dig near buried power lines in the City, first call the Underground Service Alert (USA) Notification Center at 1-800-227-2600. All utilities who have buried facilities will respond to your request to locate and mark any underground lines. Each utility will mark the location of any buried lines or pipes in the area where you are planning to excavate. Should you desire, a Redding Electric Utility employee will assist should you have difficulty contacting USA. Call 224-4375 if you plan to excavate west of Interstate 5, or, call 224-4357, if you plan to excavate on the east side of Interstate 5.

SAFETY AROUND TREES NEAR POWER LINES
Before you prune, trim or cut down trees near overhead electrical lines, call the Redding Electric Utility at 224-4384. Tree limbs, metal tools and metal ladders touching power lines can become electrified and cause severe injury. Plan the falling of the pruned limbs so the limbs don't fall on or near a power line.
For more information on trimming around power lines or to speak to a Certified Arborist, call the Redding Electric Utility at 224-4356.
In the vicinity of power lines, the selection of trees to plant is especially important. The best trees to plant near power lines grow no taller than 25 feet. Before planting or pruning trees near overhead power lines or transformers, Redding Electric Utility customers should give us a call at 224-4356 and speak with our Supervising Arborist. We'll tell you whether it's safe to do the work before you put yourself at risk. If you think you have an unhealthy tree under a power line, have it inspected by one of our Certified Arborists. Removal of a sick tree is often complicated and better done by an expert. Replace removed trees with one from a list of trees recommended by either your Arborist or one of Redding Electric Utility's Certified Arborists.

Safety - look up, look out, and live
Remember to look up and look out for power lines when working outdoors. Coming into contact with power lines can seriously hurt or even kill you. Stay away from power lines when you are using aluminum ladders, tree trimming equipment, a pool skimmer, poles for harvesting fruit, or other tools that extend above your head. Metal conducts electricity. You could receive a dangerous electric shock if you are holding a metal pole or ladder that comes into contact with power lines.
When a tree has power lines running through the branches, remember these safety measures.
• Never allow children to climb it.
• Never build a tree house in it.
• Never fly kites near it.
• Never try to rescue a cat from it.
• If a broken branch gets caught in your electrical wires, call the Redding Electric Utility immediately at 245-7000.
Be aware of overhead lines when you're using long metal objects like irrigation pipe, swimming pool nets and metal ladders. Keep ladders away from all overhead lines.

ABOUT ELECTRICITY
Use of electricity in our society has become so commonplace that most of us don't think about it much. Since we can't see electricity, hear it, smell it or touch it, it doesn't demand much of our attention-until it's not there. The moment electricity becomes unavailable, we all know it. Lights go out and the machines, appliances and equipment in our homes and businesses cease to function. Sometimes even traffic lights and the media are affected so our ability to travel and communicate are impaired. It's no wonder that electrical outages are a source of great concern, frustration and inconvenience. In our society, electricity has become a necessity.
Ironically, even though we put such reliance in it, electricity production and distribution are not generally understood by the majority of people who use it. This site will help you understand how the combination of people, power plants, poles and power lines work together to make your days and nights more comfortable, convenient and enjoyable. This site also explains some of the reasons you experience power outages and the process Redding Electric Utility uses to restore your power as quickly as possible. Also, information is included that will help you prepare for and endure power outages that may affect you and your family.

Important Safety Tips
• If you see a downed or sagging power line stay away from it, warn others and call the Redding Electric Utility immediately.
• If a power line falls across a car that you're in, stay in the car until help arrives.
• If you must leave the car, jump clear, making certain that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground. When you hit the ground keep your feet together and hop until you are clear of the downed wire. If you touch the car and ground at the same time, you could be electrocuted.
• Report all power line hazards to The Redding Electric Utility at 245-7000 or local emergency services (911) such as your police or fire department.

Lightning
Lightning is a common cause of outages. Lightning can strike electrical equipment like poles, lines, transformers, etc., causing customers served by that equipment to lose power. Lightning can also strike trees, which may fall onto power lines and cause outages.
Wind
High winds may cause power lines to touch. When that happens, a fault or short-circuit occurs, which can interrupt electrical service. Wind also may blow tree limbs or entire trees onto power lines causing the lines to break or fall to the ground.
Snow
Winter storms can create a buildup of snow and ice on power lines and trees. The weight of the snow and ice can cause tree limbs and trees to fall onto power lines, either breaking the lines and poles down, or causing a short-circuit by knocking the lines into each other.
Rain and Flooding
Heavy rains and melting snow can cause flooding in some areas. Floods, in turn, can cause damage to both aboveground and underground electrical equipment. To prevent major damage to electrical equipment during times of flooding, the Redding Electric Utility workers may need to turn off the electricity temporarily to some customers.
Mud Slides
Heavy rains also can create mud slides. Mud slides can knock over power lines or can cause trees to fall into power lines resulting in broken lines and/or short circuits.
Car Accidents
Cars colliding with power poles or other electrical equipment are a common cause of electrical outages. Sometimes a collision will cause a pole to break or make the lines sway enough that they touch and cause a short-circuit.
Birds and Small Animals
Birds and small animals, especially squirrels, can cause power outages. Despite our efforts to keep them away with animal guards, animals and birds often climb or nest on certain pieces of equipment such as transformers and fuses. Sometimes the animals will touch two wires at one time and cause a short-circuit.
Trees
Some electrical outages in the utility's service area are caused by trees that fall onto power lines or tree limbs that come in contact with power lines. The Redding Electric Utility clears trees away from the lines on a regular cycle. If you own trees near power lines, you may wish to maintain them between cycles to help reduce power outages. The Redding Electric Utility will help customers maintain trees near their service line (line from pole to house) by disconnecting lines temporarily while the customer performs the work and reconnect lines upon completion of work during normal working hours. Please do not attempt to trim trees near a line that is energized prior to contacting a Redding Electric Utility representative at 224-4384.
Momentary Disturbances
Momentary interruptions of your electrical service are caused by short circuits when the lines feeding your neighborhood come into contact with each other or with a tree or some other object. When a high voltage short circuit occurs, a substation breaker automatically de-energizes the circuit and causes an interruption to your service. It is a normal utility practice to quickly open and close the breaker two or three times automatically in separate attempts to clear the problem. If the problem does not clear itself, field personnel must find the source of the trouble and fix it. Approximately 80-90 percent of all utility short circuits clear themselves. For example, if a tree limb blows into a line, it will normally swing clear in a few seconds. In this case, you would see the lights dim or blink, they may go out and come back on quickly.

Street Lighting
The City of Redding Electric Utility wants your help in maintaining community safety. Now you can report Street Light Outages online.