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Home > Services > Pet Safety > Stray Voltage Stray Voltage by Blair Sorrel, StreetZaps Every winter pedestrians become increasingly aware of a hazard commonly referred to as "stray voltage." In actuality, sidewalk shockings are attributable to voltage leakage as our aging infrastructure and heavy snowfalls produce a highly conductive saline slush. Since dogs' bare feet traverse the energized area, they are more readily exposed to the risk but you too should exercise greater caution to prevent injuries throughout the year. And although "voltage leakage" has received greater media attention lately, it's by no means a recent phenomenon. Since even in 1882, a messenger alerted Thomas Edison that the horses appeared to be "dancing" on Pearl Street from a live junction box. But for all its failings, the City's 92,000 miles of electrical structure are still much safer than the erstwhile overhead lines that caused numerous fatalities during the famous Blizzard of 1888. Before you and your dog decide to hibernate for the winter, start to make your route safer by practicing prudent walking patterns year-round. Get in the habit in clement weather of avoiding all metal, especially grates and manholes; memorize their locations when obscured. Keep a protective distance from all street and traffic lamps and be mindful they can leak even if fully intact. If energized a light will enliven the adjacent sidewalk which accounts for incidents several feet away from any apparent source. So what does the dog-lover do? Dog booties will shield against rock salt but will not protect against voltage leakage. If in doubt and if possible, carry your dog. Better to use a cloth leash or harness than conductive metal accoutrements since rain or flood conditions are of equal concern. Another option is investing in wee-wee pads and relaxing with a hot toddy. Learn More by StreetZaps Sidewalk Shock in the Summertime? by New York Tails Second Dog Electrocuted In Lower Manhattan In As Many Days by NY1 News Tuesday, January 29, 2008 DOT To Outfit Streetlights With LED Detectors by NY1 News Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Father Of Electrocution Victim Says Stray Voltage Still A Problem by NY1 News Thursday, January 24, 2008 Dog Recovering In Manhattan Following Electrical Shock by NY1 News Monday, December 14, 2007 Dog in SoHo hit with 100-volt jolt by Christina Boyle and Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News Thursday, August 30, 2007 A Moment of Stray Voltage, and a Life Upended by Jim Dwyer, The New York Times Wednesday, August 8, 2007 Con Ed Horror: "My Dog Killed by Shock Box" by Denise Buffa, New York Post Thursday, June 7, 2007 Con Ed Hiring Livery Cab Drivers To Guard High-Voltage Areas by NY1 News Thursday, May 3, 2007 Con Ed pays 'em to sit on grates: Livery drivers making a bundle to guard dangerous city hot spots by Jimmy Vielkind, New York Daily News Thursday, May 3, 2007 Dog Dies on a Downtown Sidewalk, Possibly Electrocuted by Anthony Ramirez and Emily Vasquez, The New York Times Thursday, February 15, 2007 Second Dog Electrocuted In Lower Manhattan In As Many Days by NY1 News Thursday, February 15, 2007 Dog electrocuted?: Con Ed says no stray voltage was around during pet's death by ABC7 Eyewitness News, WABC-TV New York Thursday, February 15, 2007 Con Ed Finds 1,214 Stray Voltage Sites in One Year by Sewell Chan, The New York Times Saturday, March 4, 2006 Avoid Winter Shock on Your Block by Diane West, New York Tails, Winter 2005–2006 Take Action Report A Shock/Hot Spot or Tampered Equipment by StreetZaps Petition: Stop Stray Voltage Electrocutions in New York City Petition by Friends of Barkis
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