THERE’S BEEN A ‘worrying’ increase in the number of people climbing electricity poles with flags and bunting, according to ESB Networks.

The incidents tend to increase in the mid-summer and autumn months, as towns and cities around the country celebrate summer festivals and fairs.

“Typically ESB Networks deals with 15 to 20 of these very serious public safety incidents each year,” a spokesperson said.

People are taking “ever-increasing risks” to place the bunting higher and higher on electricity poles “right next to the live wires,” he added.

“For example, there have been a number of incidents where the bunting was placed on the top of electricity poles where the voltage is 20,000 volts.

“The voltage in your house is only 230 volts – and we all know how careful we have to be with electricity in our own homes.

Our advice to anyone involved in putting up bunting and flags is that under no circumstances should they contemplate using electricity poles.

Anyone who sees flags or bunting placed on electricity poles is being asked to contact the ESB Networks emergency number: 1850 372 999.

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