With the official start of summer, outdoor projects, such as building a new fence or deck, working on the roof, planting trees and shrubs, or even flying a kite, Puget Sound Energy reminds people to watch out for underground and overhead utility lines.

Keep these important and useful tips in mind this summer and year round.

• When getting ready to landscape a garden, pull a tree stump, build a fence or any other digging activity, make sure to call 811—the free “call before you dig” hotline—to avoid potential hazards with striking or digging up underground utilities.

• Place new trees away from overhead power lines.

• Never climb trees near power lines even if the power lines are not touching the tree.

• Avoid flying kites, metallic balloons and radio-controlled toys near power lines. If a kite or Mylar balloon drifts near a power line, let it go. Never try to retrieve anything caught in a power line or from a tree located near a power line.

• Do not build playhouses or platforms in trees with nearby power lines.

• Never install hot tubs, swimming or wading pools underneath or near power lines.

PSE advises anyone who may have damaged a natural gas line or who smells the odor of natural gas to follow these important steps.

• Quickly move a safe distance from the damaged line.

• Call 911 when at a safe distance.

• Report the damage to PSE at 1-888-225-5773.