We are committed to help and inform our members.  You can help us protect you from electrical accidents by taking a few minutes to read this section and checking for unsafe conditions in your home.  Heartland has assembled a list of seasonal safety tips to follow during the storm season, indoors and outdoor safety tips for your home, and information pertaining to downed power lines.  Be electrically safe, not sorry!

Indoor Safety Tips

To be safe, we recommend that wiring be installed and/or inspected by a licensed electrician. Your house, building or apartment may be inadequately wired if:

1. Lights dim and motors slow down when an appliance goes on.
2. Fuses blow or circuit breakers trip frequently.
3. Toasters or irons fail to heat properly.
4. The television picture shrinks.

Turn main power off before replacing a fuse or adjusting circuit breakers.

Have outlets installed with a ground fault interrupters (GFI) wherever water/moisture is nearby.

Never pull a plug out by the cord.

Regularly check wires, extension cords and appliances for signs of wear.

Use appliances and power tools with three-pronged plugs.

Never touch appliances, wires or electrical switches with wet hands or feet.

Turn television set and other appliances off during a lightning storm.

Smoke alarms are essential. They must be properly located, vacuumed and tested regularly.

Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher (class A-B-C) in your home. It should be checked every six months. Use a class "C" all-purpose extinguisher on electrical fires. Never use water on an electrical fire.

Never place electrical cords across traffic areas or under carpets.

Be sure appliance and extension cords are not cracked or frayed.

Purchase small appliances that have been approved by certified laboratories such as the Underwriters Laboratory (UL).

Don't plug too many appliances into one outlet.

Never use any electrical appliance in the tub or shower.

If there are small children in your house, use plastic safety caps in unused outlets.

Never insert a metal object into an appliance without disconnecting the appliance.

Set your water heater at the "medium" setting to avoid burns. Always perform the "elbow test" before placing an infant in the tub.

Outdoor Safety Tips

Use only extension cords and other electrical equipment designed for outdoor use and always keep the cords away from the cutting blades of saws and lawn tools.

Electric power tools should not be used in the rain, on wet surfaces, nor anywhere near a sprinkler or pool.

Install outdoor outlets with ground fault interrupters (GFIs).

Before you install a rooftop antenna, be sure it is away from power lines. Locate antennas where they won't touch or fall on electrical lines. Make sure roof antennas are grounded. Keep ladders, TV antennas, and tree branches away from power lines.

Whenever possible, use a wooden or fiberglass ladder for outdoor work. Aluminum ladders could be dangerous around electrical lines. Stay away from the lines feeding power to your house.

Before you do any deep digging or drilling, be sure there are no underground utilities where you plan to work. Call 1-800-DIGSAFE for a free "locate." Heartland and other utilities will send someone out to mark where our lines and other facilities are -- free of charge.

STAY AWAY from downed wires. Assume all downed wires are "live" and keep away from puddles and fences that are near the wires. Warn others away. Have someone call Heartland. Do not run away from a downed power line. Keep both feet on the ground and shuffle away from the downed line to reduce the chance of getting shocked.

No one -- including tree trimmers, contractors or kite-fliers -- should come within 10 feet of an overhead power line unless they've been trained to work around power lines and have appropriate protective equipment.

If a power line falls on the car you're in, stay inside until rescue or utility workers arrive. (It is safe to use a cellular phone to call for help.) If you must get out of your car because of hazards, jump away so that your body clears the car before touching the ground.

If someone is shocked, DO NOT touch them! You could become a victim yourself. First, unplug the appliance or turn off power at the control panel. If you see someone touching a downed power line, do not try to rescue them. Instead, call 911 for help.

Never build a shed or other structure under the power line leading to your house.

If any part of a tree touches electric lines, call Heartland at (620) 724-8251 and report it.

Electrical Safety Demonstration for Kids

Heartland-REC conducts Electrical Safety Demonstrations for kids. The demonstration is conducted to increase awareness about electrical safety. Teachers, parents and other educators within our service territory are encouraged to schedule one of the programs by calling Heartland's Member Services and Marketing Office at (620) 724-8251.

Safe Appliance Use

Don't use any appliance while you're touching metal or anything wet. Never plug in or unplug an electric cord while your hands are wet.

Unplug appliances before cleaning them.  

Don't yank the cord when unplugging appliances.

Train children not to put things into electrical outlets. Plastic outlet guards are a good idea, especially for homes with small children.

Repair any appliance that sparks, smokes, or shocks you.

Don't overload outlets and extension cords.

Keep appliances like radios, TVs, and hair dryers away from sinks and bathtubs.

Home

Copyright © 2000 Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.