Electrical Power Safety Tips and Reporting Dangerous Conditions
We all enjoy the convenience and productivity which electrical service brings to our homes, schools and businesses. Having harnessed the strength of electricity, we sometimes tend to be complacent about its magnificent power. If not respected, however, electricity can become a killer.
Electrical Power Safety Tips
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Look up and live.
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Consider any overhead or underground line dangerous.
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Keep objects at least 10 feet away from power lines. (In areas where equipment such as augers and booms will be operating, inspect for possible interference with overhead lines.)
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Be especially careful of clearance when handling irrigation pipe or antennas.
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Do not fly kites in areas near power lines.
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Do not attempt to raise or move overhead or underground electric lines.
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Never touch a downed or exposed line – it may be energized.
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Report any situation that appears unsafe.
Reporting Dangerous Conditions
It's Wheatland Electric's job to maintain the power system to provide safe, reliable service. You can help by reporting power line conditions that need attention, such as:
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Broken or leaning poles
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Broken or sagging lines
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Trees growing into lines
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Broken insulators
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Sparks coming from electrical wires or equipment
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Excavation activity in areas where buried lines are likely to exist
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Construction activity under power lines
If you are in a motor vehicle accident and power lines are touching the vehicle:
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Assume it's live. Always assume that any downed lines are live and dangerous. Do not attempt to touch or remove the wires and warn others to stay away.
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Stay put. Unless there is a secondary emergency, such as a fire, it is safer to stay inside the vehicle than trying to exit.
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Call 9-1-1. Let the dispatcher know that you were in an accident and you have a downed line on your vehicle. The authorities will contact the power company and line workers will be sent to the scene to shut off power.
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Warn others. Witnesses may not notice the downed line and could be coming to help. Warm them to stay at least 40 feet away.
If another emergency poses a greater threat, you may need to exit your vehicle.
If you must exit:
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Get yourself ready. The goal is to avoid touching the car and the ground at the same time. Remove any loose clothing, open your car door, step onto the metal frame of the car with your feet close together and tuck your hands and elbows into your chest.
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Jump from the vehicle. When jumping, keep your feet together. This is more important than how far you jump. If your feet are apart from each other, you could create a bridge, allowing electricity to run through you. Jump as far as you can from the vehicle without jeopardizing your stance.
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Shuffle or hop to safety. Don't become a circuit! Shuffle your feet in slow short strides always maintaining contact with the ground or hop with feet together until you are at least 40 feet away from the downed wire.
101 S Main St., P.O. Box 230, Scott City, KS 67871 • (620) 872-5885
