Safe
Electricity Urges Caution
During Storm Recovery Efforts
(March 13, 2006) As several Midwestern communities
turn to storm clean-up and rebuilding, Safe Electricity would
like to caution everyone to be extremely careful and alert to
electrical hazards.
When outside, stay away from downed power lines
and be alert to the possibility that tree limbs or debris may
hide an electrical hazard. Treat all downed or hanging power lines
as if they are energized. Warn others to stay away and contact
the electric utility.
“A power line does not need to be sparking
or arcing to be energized, even if it’s sagging close to
or on the ground, and other utility lines can also become energized
by being in contact with an electrical line,” says Hall.
“Lines that appear to be “dead” can become energized
as crews work to restore power, or sometimes from improper use
of emergency generators. It’s best to assume all low and
downed lines are energized and dangerous.”
If you are driving and come upon a downed power
line, stay in your vehicle, warn others to stay away and contact
emergency personnel or the electric utility. Also when driving,
be careful at intersections where traffic lights may be out. Stop
at all railroad crossings, and treat road intersections with non-working
traffic signals as a four-way stop before proceeding with caution.
“Before re-entering storm-damaged buildings
or rooms, be sure all electric and gas services are turned off,”
said Jay Solomon, University of Illinois Extension Engineering
Educator. “Never attempt to turn off power at the breaker
box if you must stand in water to do so. If you can’t reach
your breaker box safely, call your electric utility to shut off
power at the meter.”
Never step into a flooded basement or other
area if water is covering electrical outlets, appliances or cords.
Be alert to any electrical equipment that could be energized and
in contact with water.
If using electric yard tools in clean-up efforts,
do not operate them if the ground is wet, or while you are wet
or standing in water. Keep all electric tools and equipment at
least ten feet away from wet surfaces.
If the power to your home is out for a prolonged
period, know and understand important safety precautions until
power is restored:
• Keep the refrigerator or freezer doors
closed. A freezer that is half full or full can keep foods frozen
24 to 48 hours. Foods should stay safe in an unopened refrigerator
up to four hours. If an outage lasts longer than four hours,
remove and pack meat, milk and dairy products in a cooler with
ice.
• Use safe, alternative food preparations.
A barbecue grill is an excellent way to prepare food, but a
charcoal grill should always be used outside.
• Check on friends and relatives --
especially seniors, and those with medical conditions or disabilities.
During an outage, Safe Electricity also recommends
turning off electrical appliances and unplugging major equipment,
computers and televisions. This will help protect equipment that
could be damaged by electrical surges, and prevent circuit overloads
when power is restored. Leave one light on to indicate that power
has been restored. Wait a few minutes then turn on other appliances
and equipment one at a time.
If you use a standby generator, make sure it
has a transfer safety switch or that your power is cut off at
the breaker box before you operate it. This prevents electricity
from traveling back through the power lines or what’s known
as “back feed.” Back feed creates danger for anyone
near lines, particularly crews working to restore power.
For more information and electrical safety tips,
visit www.SafeElectricity.org.
Safe Electricity is a safety public awareness program sponsored
by a coalition of electric utilities, educators and other organizations
dedicated to promoting electrical safety.
Safe
Electricity Urges Caution 