After the period of intense rain throughout Maranhão, in which vegetation grows more rapidly, the need for pruning and preventative maintenance increases. Given this scenario, Equatorial Maranhão warns the population about the risks of pruning trees close to the electricity grid without due care and without the support of qualified professionals, a practice that can result in serious and even fatal accidents. For trees to grow in a healthy and orderly way, it is essential to carry out regular maintenance and pruning, so that their branches do not reach or affect the electrical network. The Distributor advises that pruning should not be done on trees that are close to or that are touching the power grid. According to Lúcio Santos, Works and Maintenance Manager at Equatorial Maranhão, the company carries out constant preventive maintenance to reduce risks to the population and the electrical system. "We know the importance of pruning services to prevent short circuits, supply interruptions and accidents caused by branches that have grown beyond the safety limit. In periods of more intense winds and rain, these branches can be thrown or touch the grid, directly affecting the energy supply", explained the Manager. Responsibility for pruning Look for qualified professionals to carry out pruning Disclosure/Equatorial On public roads and squares, the responsibility for pruning lies with municipal governments. In private areas, maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner. In both cases, it is essential that those responsible carry out periodic and preventive pruning, in order to prevent the branches from approaching or coming into contact with the electrical network, reducing the risk of accidents and interruptions in the power supply. In these cases, hiring specialized professionals is the safest way to perform the service, ensuring the use of appropriate techniques, protective equipment and respect for the minimum safety distances from the electrical network. Look for qualified professionals to carry out the pruning Disclosure/Equatorial In situations where the branches are already in contact with the wiring, Equatorial Maranhão carries out the pruning with its specialized teams to prevent interruptions in the power supply or even accidents. It is worth highlighting that the population should never carry out pruning on their own. When identifying trees with branches close to or in contact with the wiring, it is essential not to attempt to intervene. In addition to the risk of electric shock, the practice can cause interruptions in the power supply, damage to the network and endanger both those performing the service and the entire surrounding community. It is recommended to contact Equatorial Maranhão through Central 116 so that the necessary measures can be taken safely for everyone. Look for qualified professionals to carry out the pruning Disclosure/Equatorial Safety guidelines • Pay extra attention during the rainy season, when vegetation growth is faster; • Always look for a qualified professional to carry out pruning in cases of trees in private locations; • Do not use metal ladders, improvised tools, damaged, adapted or uncertified equipment; • Observe a minimum distance of 3 meters from the power grid while carrying out the activity. Also be careful that the cut branches do not fall onto the net; • When planting new large trees, choose locations far from the electricity grid. VC+ Seguro Movement Equatorial Maranhão reinforces that these guidelines are part of the “Vc+ Seguro” Movement, an initiative that acts preventively, guiding its customers and reinforcing the importance of safety with electrical energy to avoid accidents. The campaign aims to expand access to information and raise awareness among the population about the risks and dangers related to the use of electrical energy, reaffirming the Distributor's commitment to safety, accident prevention and the well-being of the community. Red August During the month of August, the movement's actions are reinforced with the Red August campaign, an initiative promoted by the Brazilian Association of Electricity Distributors (Abradee), aimed at raising awareness among the population about the risks of accidents involving the electrical grid.