​PHILADELPHIA (June 5, 2018) – As part of National Safety Month and the company's ongoing efforts to promote safety around electric and natural gas equipment, PECO reminds local contractors and customers to be aware of their surroundings when planning projects near electric or natural gas equipment.

Contacting an overhead or underground electric line or underground natural gas line can cause serious injury, damage and service interruptions. It is essential for anyone who is working near this equipment to take the necessary preparations before beginning their work.

Follow these tips:

• Before digging for any project, call 811 to be connected to PA One Call and arrange for any utility lines to be marked.

• Keep ladders and other tools at least 10 feet from overhead power lines.

• Do not climb or trim trees near power lines.

• Keep electric tools and appliances away from wet surfaces, including pools and patios.

• Never approach a downed power line. Always assume a power line is energized and extremely dangerous.

• If you encounter a downed power line, immediately report it to PECO at 1-800-841-4141.

PECO crews work year-round to ensure safe and reliable service for customers. Much of this work is completed in area roadways, where lane restrictions provide a temporary work zone for employees. To ensure the safety of motorists and PECO employees and contractors, it's important to reduce speeds and keep safety top-of-mind when driving through active work zones.

PECO also is a proud sponsor of PA One Call's PA Firehouse 811 campaign. The campaign encourages fire stations across Pennsylvania to help promote "Call 811 Before You Dig" in their communities.

To learn more, visit peco.com/safety.

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PECO, founded in 1881, is Pennsylvania's largest electric and natural gas utility.  Headquartered in Philadelphia, PECO delivers energy to more than 1.6 million electric customers and more than 516,000 natural gas customers in southeastern, Pennsylvania.  The company's 2,500 employees are dedicated to the safe and reliable delivery of electricity and natural gas as well as enhanced energy management conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance.  PECO was named 2017 Best Mid-size Employer in Philadelphia by Forbes Magazine. The company also has an estimated annual economic impact of $4.3 billion in Pennsylvania, supporting more than 8,700 local jobs and producing $732 million in labor income.  PECO is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation's only Fortune 100 utility and leading competitive energy provider. For more information visit PECO.com, and connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.​

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