Toronto Hydro reminds pedestrians and pet owners to be cautious around electrical equipment this winter

TORONTO, Feb. 2, 2015 /CNW/ - Toronto Hydro is reminding pedestrians to be aware of contact voltage this winter especially on heavily salted roads and sidewalks. 

Contact voltage is an intermittent condition that exists when electricity or voltage is present on street equipment, such as sidewalk handwells or hydro pole plate covers. Winter weather can increase incidents of contact voltage as freezing and thawing conditions can cause underground equipment to shift and disturb underground wiring.

Toronto Hydro is advising pedestrians and pets to steer clear of handwells and other infrastructure as a preventative measure.

Toronto Hydro monitors and mitigates contact voltage with mobile testing vehicles and service crews that sweep the city regularly. When contact voltage is detected, crews are dispatched immediately to make the area safe. 

Toronto Hydro is also helping to prevent the occurrence of contact voltage through its sidewalk handwell remediation program. Since 2010, almost 12,000 handwells have been replaced.

Pedestrians who suspect the presence of contact voltage should call Toronto Hydro's hotline immediately at 416-222-3773. For more information concerning contact voltage, visit torontohydro.com/safety.

About Toronto Hydro
Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited owns and operates an electricity distribution system, which delivers electricity to approximately 736,000 customers located in the city of Toronto. It is the largest municipal electricity distribution company in Canada and distributes approximately 18% of the electricity consumed in the province of Ontario.

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SOURCE Toronto Hydro Corporation

Brian Buchan, Toronto Hydro, [email protected], T: 416-542-3550, C: 647-298-3648