ATLANTA— Georgia Power joins the rest of the nation and supports safely displaying the American flag as a show of patriotism in light of the recent terrorist attacks on the United States. It’s important to make sure that when displaying a flag, it’s done safely away from power lines and power poles.

“There are basic safety guidelines we want everyone to be aware of when working near power lines,” said Gene Tootle, Georgia Power’s Safety Coordinator. “We want to make sure everyone is safe, while continuing to show their American spirit.”

To avoid any electrical related incidents, please follow these safety guidelines when displaying a flag:

Before erecting any structure in your yard or on your house, it’s important to ensure that underground cables and overhead wires are not touched and/or damaged. Georgia law requires that the Utilities Protection Center (UPC) at 1-800-282-7411 be contacted before beginning work. The UPC will locate and mark all underground utilities in the area.

You should maintain a minimal ten 10 foot clearance with any overhead power lines. Don’t forget to include the length of the flag as part of this ten 10 foot clearance.

Never make the mistake of thinking it’s safe to touch wires that appear to be insulated. This material is not designed for personal protection but simply to protect the wires from the elements.

Do not touch or attempt to move a power line. Call your local power company for assistance.

Virtually any material will allow electricity to pass through it particularly if the material is damp or has contaminates on its surface. If a flag becomes entangled in a power line do not attempt to remove it. Call your local power company.

Do not attach any material to a power pole. This not only represents a potential hazard for you but a climbing hazard for the utility worker.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, the nation’s largest generator of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility, serving customers in 57,000 of the state’s 59,000 square miles. Georgia Power’s rates are more than 15 percent below the national average and its 1.8 million customers are in all but six of Georgia’s 159 counties.