JACKSON, Mich., April 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy has tips to help keep Michigan residents safe as they enjoy the season marked by the sounds of kids playing outside, the sights of sprouts poking through garden soil and the smells of freshly mowed lawns.

"Residents in Michigan can become a little out of practice during our long winters at working safely when we do get a chance to spend time outside," said Aaron Kantor, Consumers Energy's manager of public safety outreach and damage prevention. "It's important to stay safe while taking advantage of the pleasant weather Mother Nature provides this time of year."

Consumers Energy encourages residents to practice these outdoor safety tips:

Beware of overhead electric lines: 


    --  Avoid flying a kite close to a power line - if a kite gets stuck on a
        power line, do not attempt to remove it, as electric shock can be fatal.
    --  Take care with ladders and long handheld tools. Even non-conductive
        ladders and tools can conduct electricity in some circumstances, so keep
        them at least 20 feet away from all power lines at all times. Carry
        ladders, paint rollers, rain gutters and other long objects level with
        the ground. Raise and lower them carefully to avoid power lines.
    --  Adjust ladders and tools cautiously. Before adjusting extension ladders,
        paint rollers or other long tools, add your own height and make sure the
        total height will remain the minimum required clearance away from
        overhead power lines. Ladders can shift due to wind and unexpected
        events, so keep a minimum required clearance -- plus a buffer zone.
    --  Parents should ensure children never climb a utility pole or tree
        located near a power line.
    --  Do not plant tall-growing trees such as oaks, maples and most pines
        under power lines. Also, do not trim branches or trees near power lines;
        call our forestry management professionals for a free trimming estimate
        at (800) 582-4238.

Know what's underground:


    --  Call MISS DIG at 8-1-1 at least three days before beginning any digging
        project around your home or at work, even for simply installing
        landscaping or rototilling a garden. The utilities will be contacted and
        will send representatives to mark underground utilities. The service is
        free, and by calling 8-1-1 you can ensure your project is completed
        safely.
    --  After the utilities are marked, stay more than 4 feet from the marks, or
        use a wooden handle shovel to carefully expose the lines before starting
        excavation.
    --  If you are hiring a contractor, confirm 8-1-1 has been contacted before
        allowing any digging work to proceed.

Wear personal protective equipment (PPE):


    --  Consumers Energy employees always don personal protective equipment
        before beginning to work and encourage everybody to wear PPE appropriate
        for the job at hand when working around the home, such as eye and ear
        protection and proper footwear when mowing the lawn, weed whipping and
        trimming hedges.

Consumers Energy has a web page where residents, workers and first responders can quickly access safety information, www.ConsumersEnergy.com/safety.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go towww.ConsumersEnergy.com.

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Media toolkit

VIDEOS: View these safety videos from Consumers Energy:


    --  Overhead wire safety --
        http://youtu.be/eF9iP-dWWWU?list=PL7F122AAB6E651B73
    --  Dig safely public service announcement -- http://youtu.be/zspyp4Kp3gM

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SOURCE Consumers Energy