Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) reminds its customers to use extreme caution when pruning trees near high-voltage power lines.

PG&E said in a press release that a recent tree pruning accident by a customer in the Placerville area put the customer at risk and resulted in a power outage and damage to electrical equipment.

PG&E added that last year there were 129 reports of accidents throughout the service territory, mostly impacting power lines in the Sierra foothills and Sacramento Valley, due to inappropriate tree cutting by third parties.

PG&E offered the following safety tips:

* Assume all power lines are energized and extremely dangerous, including the service drop that runs from utility poles to buildings. Death or injury can result from contact.

* Never prune or remove trees that are within 10 feet of high-voltage power lines.

* Avoid touching trees that are in contact with power lines. Injury, shock or death may result.

* Cal/OSHA requires a minimum of 10 feet clearance between workers and their equipment and high-voltage power lines at all times.

* Even greater distances are required when working near higher voltage electric transmission lines.

* Never touch fallen power lines or approach them. Stay at least 50 feet away.

Customers who have a question about trees being too close to power lines or want to report downed lines immediately should call 1-800-743-5000 for assistance.