Hot Weather Safety Tips

During the long, hot days of summer, we all tend to spend more time outside. Dominion Energy wants to help make sure an accident won't diminish your good times. Follow a few tips to protect yourself and your family during storms, around water, and when the temperature soars.

Storm Safety

• Stay away from downed power lines.
• If you hear thunder, go indoors, as you may be in danger from lightning.
• During severe storms, stay in an interior, ground-floor room away from windows.
• If you're stuck outside during a storm, avoid high ground, water, isolated trees and metal objects.
• Don't drive down flooded streets.

Water Safety

• Swim with a friend, and don’t let children swim unsupervised.
• Watch out for water currents, waves and underwater obstructions.
• Always enter unknown or shallow water feet first.
• Wear a flotation device when boating or rafting.
• Keep in mind that conditions may change without warning during floods and events affecting dam release schedules.
• If caught in fast-flowing water, float feet first in a half-sit position.

Boating & Power Line Safety

• Be aware of overhead power lines, which can sometimes be nearly invisible. If you're sailing, keep in mind that power lines frequently cross even large bodies of water.
• Never assume your boat's mast or aerials will clear an overhead power line, even if you've sailed under it before. Remember that water levels and boat drafts change. A misjudgment involving power lines and water can have fatal results.
• When you're maneuvering around a harbor, know where overhead power lines are before you move your boat. Never let any part of your mast, aerial or craft get closer than 10 feet away from any line.