Electricity is the power source for many of the modern conveniences we enjoy today: the light in our home, the heat from our furnace, and the cooling of air conditioners on a hot summer day. We also use electricity to watch our favorite television program, listen to music, play video games, and for our computers.

While electricity helps to improve our quality of life, it can be harmful if we are not careful. To help us live safe around electricity, here are a few safety tips for us to remember:

Outdoor Safety:

Accidental contact with electricity usually results in serious life threatening injuries, even death. Such occurrences can be minimized if the following precautions are taken when working near power lines:

• Assume all overhead and downed power lines are live and dangerous.

• Keep objects at least 10 feet away from power lines.

• Inspect surroundings before operating equipment to avoid interference with power lines.

• Do not attempt to raise or move power lines.

• Report any damaged electrical equipment or downed lines to Altamaha EMC immediately.

• If you plan to dig, call the Utility Protection Center at 811 a few days in advance of your scheduled dig to allow time for the request to be processed.

• Never fly kites or model airplanes near electric power lines.

• Do not climb trees with power lines in or near the branches.

• Avoid areas where warning signs around electrical equipment have been posted.

• Stay away from damaged or broken utility poles with electrical wires.

• Do not shoot at insulators or power lines.

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Household Safety:

• Do not overload electrical outlets.

• Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)* outlets in the kitchen, bathroom, outdoor receptacles, and other water access areas.

• Do not place electrical appliances near water.

• Place safety covers on all unused wall outlets.

• Use proper wattage when replacing burned-out bulbs for lamps and lighting fixtures to prevent overheating and risk of fire.

• Replace burned-out light bulbs immediately, never leave lamp sockets empty.

• Use an adapter with a ground tab for a three-pronged plug. Never attempt to remove the third prong.

• Avoid extension cords as a permanent means for wiring. Extension cords should be used only on a temporary basis.

• Do not connect multiple extension cords.

• Never run extension cords underneath rugs, carpets, or furniture. Walking on cords can lessen the durability of the cord and possibly cause a fire.

• Replace faulty electrical products.

• Never leave small appliances such as hair dryers, curling irons, toasters, radios and TV's within the reach of small children and pets.

• Never use a fork or knife to remove food objects from a toaster.

• Keep heating pads and electric blankets at relatively low settings to avoid overheating, never "tuck in" the sides or ends of an electric blanket.

• GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is a sensitive device which reacts to a small electric current leak by stopping the flow of electricity.

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Farm Safety:

Farm safety is never out of season. Before heading back into the fields, make sure you and your workers are particularly alert to the dangers of working near overhead power lines. Here are a few tips:

• Survey work areas carefully for overhead power lines and utility poles.   Keep farm equipment at least 10 feet away from power lines. Keep in mind the minimum 10 foot distance is a 360-degree rule – below, to the sides and above the power lines.

• When moving large equipment or high loads near a power line, always use a spotter to help ensure that contact is not made with the line.

• Avoid raising the arms of planters, cultivators or truck beds near power lines.

• Overhead electric wires aren’t the only electrical contact that can result in a serious incident. Pole guy wires are grounded to the neutral; but, when one of the guy wires is broken, it can cause an electrical current disruption. This can make those neutral wires anything but harmless. If you hit a guy wire and break it, call Altamaha EMC immediately.

• Operators of farm machinery or moving equipment should know what to do if the vehicle comes in contact with a power line. It’s almost always best to stay in the cab and call for help. Warn others who may be nearby to stay away and wait until the electric company arrives to make sure power to the line is cut off. If the power line is energized and you step outside, your body becomes the path to the ground and electrocution is the result. Even if a power line has landed on the ground, there is still the potential for the area nearby to be energized. Stay inside the vehicle unless there’s fire or imminent risk of fire. In that case, the proper action is to jump – not step – with both feet hitting the ground at the same time. Do not allow any part of your body to touch the equipment and the ground at the same time. Continue to shuffle or hop to safety, keeping both feet together as you leave the area. Once you get away from the equipment, never attempt to get back on or even touch the equipment.

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Lightning Safety:

Lightning kills 50-100 people each year in the United States, mostly during the spring-summer thunderstorm season. June is the worst month followed by August, July, April and September. States with the highest incidents of lightning deaths are Florida, Texas and North Carolina.
 
The best way to avoid getting trapped in lightning is to listen to your weather report and avoid going outdoors when a thunderstorm is predicted. But if you find yourself outdoors here are some tips to help you stay safe.

• Thunder is a sign that lightning is not far away. According to researchers, if you hear thunder, the lightning is probably within ten miles. The shorter the time elapsed between when you see lightning and hear thunder, the closer the lightning is. Remember this safety slogan, "If you can see it - flee it; if you can hear it - clear it."

• The best shelter from lightning is a permanent building; small buildings or sheds aren’t as safe. Vehicles with metal roofs are also safe, but do not touch any metal surfaces and keep all windows closed. In addition, underneath canopies, small picnic or rain shelters, or near tress are all UNSAFE places to be. Standing under trees, in fact, accounts for 18 percent of lightning deaths and 13 percent of injuries.

• When outside during a thunderstorm, avoid water. Boating, fishing or other related activities account for 13 percent of lightning deaths and 6 percent of injuries.

• Avoid high ground. Also avoid open spaces. Open spaces, fields, and ballparks account for 28 percent of lightning deaths and 29 percent of lightning injuries.

• All metal objects including electric wires, fences, machinery, motors, and power tools should not be used.

• If lightning is very close and no building is nearby, you should crouch down and put your feet together. Place your hands over your ears to minimize hearing damage from thunder. Avoid being closer than 15 ft. from other people.

• If you are indoors during the thunderstorm, avoid water and stay away from doors and windows. Do not use the telephone. Take off headsets. Turn off, unplug and stay away from appliances, computers, power tools and TV sets. Lightning may strike exterior electric and phone lines, sending shocks to inside equipment. You should also suspend activities mentioned above for 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder.

• Injured persons do not carry an electrical charge and can be handled safely. Apply First Aid procedures to a lightning victim if you are qualified to do so. Call 911 or send for help immediately.