Please Don’t Attach Items to Utility Poles

At Central Lincoln, the safety of our crews and community is always a top priority. We want to remind customers that attaching personal items to utility poles is not only unsafe—it’s also unlawful.

Items like signs, balloons, decorative lights, cameras, flags, hoops, fences, and more may seem harmless, but they can pose serious risks. Staples, nails, and tacks used to secure them can damage protective gear and injure utility workers. They also create obstacles that make it harder—and more dangerous—for lineworkers to safely climb poles for maintenance and repair work.

According to the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and Oregon Revised Statute 757.271, it is illegal to attach anything to utility poles without the owner’s permission. Violations can result in fines and charges for any costs incurred due to unauthorized attachments.

In addition to safety risks, these attachments shorten the lifespan of the pole, driving up maintenance and replacement costs for all customers.

Please help keep our crews safe by never attaching anything to utility poles and reporting any concerns to us at (877) 265-3211. We appreciate your support in protecting the people who keep the power flowing.

Image of a Central Lincoln pole in Toledo that is covered with nails and tacks.
It may not seem like a big deal, but attachments like these put our lineworkers at risk. This pole in Toledo is a powerful reminder of why safety starts with all of us.