Safety contacts
In case of emergency:
call 911
1-888-456-7683
for sparking or downed lines and outages
(only after calling 911 first)
Equipment issues
1-800-877-7683
for pipeline damage
(particularly when digging)
1-916-732-5900
for a downed fence near substations
Verifying work in your neighborhood
Our employees always carry photo ID
1-888-742-SMUD (7683)
to verify employee’s name and ID number
Maintenance
We work in your neighborhood and around our community maintaining substations, power lines and equipment 365 days a year to provide you with safe, reliable electric service. We occasionally need access to utility easements on your property to perform inspections, vegetation management or repairs to our power lines and equipment. If we plan to be in your neighborhood or need access to your yard, we’ll notify you in advance. Our employees always carry photo ID and will happily show it to you.
To update or check your current communication preferences please call 1-888-742-SMUD (7683) and a representative can help you.
Safety around power lines, substations and transformers
Vegetation management
For safety and reliability, some trees should never be planted near power lines. Trees interfering with power lines are a major cause of power outages and can create safety hazards. Our crews routinely inspect and clear vegetation away from power lines, poles and transformers for your safety, to prevent outages and reduce fire risk. We offer tree safety tips on how to plant the right tree in the right place to help protect trees and power lines.
Equipment maintenance
We routinely inspect our electrical equipment, so our crews need clear access at all times. For your safety and ours, please keep at least a 3-foot clearance around utility poles and electric meters, and an 8-foot clearance around transformers.
Meter maintenance work may require a brief interruption to your electric service and we’ll notify you in advance. You don’t need to be home during our work, but if your meter is behind a gate, please make sure the gate is unlocked and pets are secured.
Downed lines
If overhead power lines are downed for any reason, stay clear. Call 911 or 1-888-456-7683 for assistance. Do not touch the wires.
If the downed power lines fall on a motor vehicle, avoid contact with the vehicle. It’s probably electrified and can result in deadly shock if you touch it and the ground at the same time. Get at least 40 feet away and stay clear until you’re sure the power is shut off.
Overhead lines
Avoid touching power lines directly or with another object. Don't climb on wooden utility poles, metal transmission towers or any trees that may bring you into contact with power lines.
Objects can get caught in power lines or trees near overhead lines. Don't try to pull them down or climb on anything to get them. Call SMUD at 1-888-742-7683 and we'll get them down for you.
Electric and magnetic fields (EMF)
We get questions about the possible health effects of exposure to certain electric and magnetic fields that are found wherever you have electric power.
Learn more about EMF, including practical tips to reduce your exposure at home and at work.
Substations
Substations contain large, high-voltage equipment to serve many homes and businesses. We fence off this high-voltage equipment and post warnings for your safety. Please don’t allow children to play near a substation and never attempt to enter one. If you notice a damaged fence, please contact SMUD security at 1-916-732-5900.
Underground utility lines
Digging a hole to plant a tree or put in a new fence? Be safe and call before you dig.Learn the location of any underground utilities near your home by contacting Underground Service Alert. Call 811 at least two working days before digging. They are open 6 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Friday, except holidays.
Proper clearance
In some areas with underground power lines, we put transformer boxes on the property. If you have one in your yard or at your business, you can help yourself, your neighbors and our workers by making sure there is at least eight feet of clearance around them.
Keeping plants and structures away from the green metal boxes will help our crews restore power more quickly during an outage. The eight-foot clearance helps SMUD crews perform scheduled maintenance more safely and efficiently. It’s also required by law.
For more information about clear space requirements around neighborhood electrical transformers, call us at 1-888-742-7683.
This course is designed to provide contractor personnel working in SMUD substation facilities with the knowledge to enter the facilities safely.
Download our 2023 Substation Access Training for Contractors
Natural gas pipeline safety
While we don’t sell natural gas to homes, we do use natural gas. Our high-pressure underground pipelines are the safest proven method of transporting natural gas.
Learn more