In line with safety policies and global best practices, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc (PHED) has sensitised customers in its franchise area on safe practices during the festive season.

The firm said the sensitisation became imperative to mitigate the likelihood of electrical fatalities and associated accidents usually experienced in the Yuletide or harmattan season.

Head, Corporate Communications, Olubukola Ilevbare, and the Head of Safety, Itoro Essienobom, disclosed this during a live radio session on Wazobia FM, Port Harcourt.

Essienobom said the season comes with a lot of excitement that could make customers less cautious. He reminded them to be conscious of basic safe practices, like switching off electrical appliances when not in use, avoiding overloading and touching sockets with wet hands, and staying away from accumulated water around electrical installations.

He enlightened customers on the importance of avoiding contact with fallen lines, electrical poles, and driving over power lines. Other areas of focus included the right of way for power lines and the dangers of building, residing or transacting business under the high-tension lines. Customers were also reminded of the ongoing meter upgrade under the Global Token Identifier Rollover.

Essienobom said PHED is renowned for promoting best practices in industry safety standards, and this has earned the company an appreciable position on safety compliance ranking in the electricity industry.

On her part, Ilevbare revealed that the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Benson Uwheru, and the entire PHED management hold the safety of customers as top priority.

According to her, under the leadership of Uwheru, there has been a major leap in the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policy framework of the company to complement safety efforts.

She advised customers to dial PHED’s call centre to report any perceived electrical eventualities to avoid loss of life and property.