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Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

The best way to avoid contact voltage is to exercise caution while walking. Avoid electrical equipment such as streetlighting poles and handwells, signage and shelters and step around metal covers on the sidewalk . Generally handwells are found close to streetlight poles.

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Here are some ways to protect yourself while walking your pet:

  1. If you’re walking on the street, walk as close to the storefront as possible to steer clear of streetlighting equipment including handwells and metal fixtures like signage and shelters.
  2. Use a leash that’s made of non-conductive material, preferably nylon. Try to keep your leash as dry as possible.
  3. It is important to move a safe distance away from areas of contact voltage.  Ensure pedestrians stay clear of the area. Most recipients of electric shock caused by contact voltage are pets.
  4. Avoid tying your leash to streetlighting poles or near handwells.
  5. If your animal is incapacitated, and you have a dry, nylon leash, remove your pet from the hazard by using the leash or another non-conductive object. 
  6. Do not touch the animal directly as you may also receive an electric shock.

Call!

Call the Contact Voltage Hotline to report any incident at 416-222-3773.

As with any emergency, call 911 if you require immediate assistance.  Toronto Emergency Services are trained to deal with electric shock and will notify Toronto Hydro to remediate the problem and make the equipment safe. 

 

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Common Myths about Contact Voltage

Myth: Dog boots will protect my pets.

Although dog boots provide protection from snow, ice and road salt, there is no research to indicate that they safeguard pets from contact voltage.  In fact, wet boots may increase conductivity and the risk of electric shock.  Similarly, humans walking with wet boots are also at an increased risk.  The best defence is to avoid any electrical equipment and step around metal covers.  This includes watching where your pets and children are walking.

 

Myth: Contact voltage is only dangerous to dogs.

Dogs are at a higher risk becasue they walk with two paws on the ground at all times.  This provides a better path for electricity to travel. This danger is intensified as dogs usually walk with wet and exposed paws.  That said, contact voltage may even pose a risk to humans.  The best defence is to avoid any electrical equipment and step around metal covers.  This includes watching where your pets and children are walking and keeping your dog on a leash.  

 

Myth: Contact voltage is only present in downtown Toronto.

While most of the electrical infrastructure in the downtown area is aging, contact voltage can be present anywhere electrical equipment and metal come into contact.  For this reason, Toronto Hydro is committed to scanning the entire city on an ongoing basis as part of our maintenance and prevention program.

Contact Voltage Resources