Electrical Safety

Stay Safe Around Electricity

Look Up! Look Down! Look Out!

Look Up!

Overhead Power Lines

Keep your Distance

Electricity can jump, and it will when a potential conductor like a metal ladder comes too close. When using ladders (even wood ones) and other long tools be sure to keep them at least 10 feet away from all overhead power lines, including the line from the power pole to your home. Also, don’t climb trees near electrical wires.

Birds can sit on wires, but you can’t!

Birds don’t get electrocuted when they land on wires because they don’t make a path to ground. Electricity wants nothing more than to go to ground and will always take the easiest, most direct route. A ladder, pole or even a wet kite string touching or coming near a power line will give electricity a new path to ground. If you are in contact with those things as well, you may become part of the path and could be electrocuted and severely injured.

Birds on Wire

Kites & balloons

Kites, balloons and model airplanes that contact power lines can cause shock or fire, so keep them away from overhead power lines.

Kite

Look Down!

Buried Power Lines
In many neighborhoods power lines are buried underground. Once the lines are covered with dirt and grass, you can’t tell exactly where they are located. This can create dangerous situations when people do major digging in their yard to build home additions, decks or swimming pools. To be sure that you don’t damage an underground line and potentially harm yourself, your family or friends, tell your parents to call Miss Utility at 1-800-441-8355 at least 48 hours before doing any digging in your yard—it’s the law! This free service ensures that all underground power lines in your yard are clearly marked so you can stay away from them when digging.

Look Out!

Electrical Equipment

Pad-mounted transformers

Underground electric equipment includes the large, green pad-mounted transformers you see in the yards of homes and businesses. When left alone, these metal enclosures are harmless. But if you play on or around them, you may accidentally break open the locks and doors, exposing yourself and others to danger. Also, never dig near transformer boxes. All transformers should have a warning label. If you ever find a transformer box that’s unlocked or open, tell an adult to call the electric company.

Transformer

Substations

There is a lot of high-voltage electricity behind the fences of substations, so stay out of them! If a ball or toy goes into a substation, tell an adult. Never try to retrieve the item from the substation yourself—call the electric company.

Substation

Downed power lines

A downed power line can be dangerous even if it’s not sparking, so stay away from it! Tell an adult to call 9-1-1 and the electric company immediately! Everyone should treat every a downed power line as if it were a "live" wire and dangerous. Stay away from the line while waiting for professionals to arrive on the scene.

When Electrical Injury Occurs

Go over the following symptoms and first aid tips with an adult. This way, if you get an electrical burn, you will know what to do.

First Aid

Symptoms of Electrical Burns:

  • Skin Burns
  • Numbness, tingling
  • Weakness
  • Muscle contraction
  • Muscular pain
  • Bone fractures
  • Headache
  • Hearing impairment
  • Seizures
  • Heart arrhythmias
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Respitory failure
  • Unconsciousness

First Aid Treatment for Electrical Burns:

  • If possible to do safely, shut off electrical current
  • Call for medical help (9-1-1)
  • Remove any clothing that comes off easily
  • Rinse the burned area in cool running water until pain subsides
  • Cover minor burns with a sterile bandage
  • Don’t use ointment, butter, ice, fluffy cotton dressing, or adhesive bandages.
  • If the victim is touching a power line, stay clear. Don’t try to move the wire or the victim.
  • Seek medical attention as soon as possible

 

Storm Safety

When Lightning Strikes

Lightning

Lightning surges from the clouds to the ground along the best conductor it can find, which is usually the highest object in the area. Remember these tips during thunderstorms:

  • Go inside, preferably to a house or car. Don’t stand in the open or under a tree. A wet tree attracts lightning.
  • If you get caught outside, squat low to the ground with your feet together, allowing only your shoes, which act as insulators, to touch the ground.
  • Don’t swim. If you are in the water, get out immediately.

Stay away from metal objects that are lightning conductors, such as poles or playground equipment.