Water and electricity don’t mix

Summer is the season for swimming and boating, and awareness of electrical hazards around water can prevent deaths and injuries. Water and electricity don’t mix.

• Sailboats often have masts of 30 feet or more, which are dangerous when they come into contact with overhead power lines. Look up as you get close to shore, and stay at least 10 feet away from overhead lines. Coming into contact with an energized power line causes serious and sometimes lethal electric shock.
• Use covers on outdoor power outlets, especially near swimming pools. Keep cords and electrical devices away from the water, and never handle electrical items before you’ve dried off.
• Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to help prevent electrocutions and electrical shock injuries. These devices interrupt the flow of power when they sense a surge. Portable GFCIs require no tools to install and are available at prices ranging from $12 to $30.

 Lightning and storms

Lightning strikes are fatal in 10 percent of victims, and 70 percent suffer serious long-term effects, according to the National Weather Service. Because lightning can travel sideways for up to 10 miles, blue skies are not a sign of safety. If you hear thunder, take cover.

• If weather conditions indicate a storm, stay inside—away from doors and windows—or seek shelter in a low-lying area away from trees and any metal, including sheds, clotheslines, poles, and fences. If you’re near water, stay as far away as possible.
• If you’re in a group, spread out—don’t stand close together.
• Indoors, unplug electronics before the storm arrives, and don’t use corded phones.
• Avoid plumbing—sinks, bathtubs, faucets.
• Don’t forget about your pets. Doghouses are not safe from lightning, and chained animals are easy targets.
• If your home is flooded during a storm, don’t turn on appliances or electronics until given the okay by an electrician. If there’s laying water, don’t go inside. The water could be energized.

 Working with large appliances

If your air conditioner goes out, keep a few things in mind before you start poking around. Large appliances, such as air conditioners, are responsible for almost 20 percent of consumer-product electrocutions each year.

• Understand your electrical system—know which fuse or circuit breaker controls each switch, light, and outlet.
• Make sure circuits are turned off before starting work and take measures to ensure they’re not turned back on while working.
• Use a circuit tester—always test before you touch.

Find more safety tips at esfi.org.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, half of all home-heating fires occur in December, January and February, and heating equipment fires account for 18 percent of all reported home fires and 22 percent of home fire deaths.

Here are a few tips to remember when using space heaters:

• Be certain that space heaters at least 3 feet away from curtains, furniture and other household items.
• Select a heater that has been certified by a recognized testing group like Underwriters Laboratories.
• Do not allow children or pets to play near space heaters.

You can learn more about space heater safety from the National Fire Protection Association.

The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association is a trade group representing the interests of Tennessee’s 23 electric distribution cooperatives and the 1.1 million consumers they serve.

The winter holiday season is traditionally a festive and eventful time of year, filled with celebrations, family gatherings, and visits from houseguests.  In fact, results from a national survey conducted by ESFI indicate that nearly sixty percent of Americans typically host guests in their homes during the holidays.

It’s easy to get caught up in the hectic pace of holiday entertaining – cookies to bake, decorations to hang, presents to wrap – but ESFI and the electric cooperatives of Tennessee urge you not to overlook safety during the holiday rush.  The winter holiday period is, unfortunately, also a peak time of year for home fires and preventable injuries.

The good news is that it’s not difficult to make sure your home is ready to host all of your favorite holiday activities.

First, take time out from your party preparations to test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and to make sure your home is protected by an adequate number of alarms.  Both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be installed on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area.  Additional smoke alarms should be installed inside each bedroom.  Be sure to share your family fire escape plan with any overnight guests or babysitters

Arrange your holiday displays so as to avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many decorations or devices.  Inspect all decorations, cords and outlets for damage before use.  Keep electrical cords out of doorways and high traffic areas where they pose a tripping hazard.  Do not pinch cords or affix them to walls, ceilings, or floors with staples or nails, which can damage the insulation.

Keep young visitors safe by preparing your home before they arrive.  If your home is not already “childproof,” install Tamper Resistant Receptacles (TRRs) or use safety covers on all unused electrical outlets, including those on extension cords and power strips.  Store breakables, candles, matches, and other potentially dangerous items in inaccessible or locked areas safe from curious little ones.  Don’t forget to put away small items, like buttons, coins, and jewelry, which could pose a choking hazard. Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairways to keep babies and toddlers safe.

Safety doesn’t stop when the party gets started.  Adopt a proactive approach to safety during your holiday festivities as well.  Keep decorations, gifts, and other combustibles at least three feet from heat sources or open flame.  Never leave the kitchen when something is cooking.  Make sure children are supervised at all times in the kitchen and in rooms where heat sources or open flame are in use.  Turn off and unplug all decorations before leaving home or turning in for the night.

Remember that a safe and happy holiday is by far the best gift you can give your friends and family this year.

Happy Holidays from the electric cooperatives of Tennessee.

Electric cooperatives in Tennessee use large quantities of copper and have been particularly hard hit by thieves. Cooper theft can severely damage a cooperative’s electric system and poses a serious safety threat for thieves as well as electric cooperative members and employees.

“The value of a few hundred dollars of scrap copper wire is certainly not worth someone losing their life,” said Duck River Electric Membership Corporation Safety Coordinator, Troy Crowell.

Recently, the DREMC service area was the target of copper thieves. During a routine inspection, over 80 utility poles were found to have been vandalized. This resulted in considerable expenses and roughly 80 man hours to repair the damage.

Efforts are underway to make it difficult to sell stolen copper. Laws were enacted in 2008 that require scrap-metal dealers to register with the Department of Commerce, sellers to provide a valid photo ID and all checks to be mailed to the address of the business.

Electric cooperative members can help, too. If you notice anything unusual, such as open substation gates, hanging wires or anyone other than utility personnel or contractors around substations or utility poles, immediately notify your local cooperative or law enforcement.