Summer time is fun time but it is also often a time of severe weather in the form of thunderstorms and high winds. Because this type of weather can cause electrical outages and downed lines, please take time to review the following safety guidelines and share them with your family.
Safety
During and After Storms
Take care when stepping into a flooded area, and be aware that submerged outlets or electrical cords may energize the water, posing a potential lethal trap.
Do not use electrical appliances that have been wet. Water can damage the motors in electrical appliances such as furnaces, freezers, refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers. Electrical parts can become grounded and pose an electric shock hazard, or overheat and cause a fire. A qualified service repair dealer should recondition electrical equipment that has been wet. Certain equipment will require complete replacement, while a trained professional can recondition other devices.
Downed power lines can carry an electric current strong enough to cause serious injury or
death. Electricity wants to move from a high voltage zone to a low voltage zone—and it could do that through your body. The following tips can help you stay safe around downed lines:
· If you see a downed power line, move away from the line and anything touching it. The proper way to move away from the line is to shuffle away with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times. This will minimize the potential for a strong electric shock.
· If you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact with a downed line, do not touch the person. You could become the next victim. Call 911 instead.
· Do not attempt to move a downed power line or anything in contact with the line by using another object such as a broom or stick. Even non-conductive materials like wood or cloth, if slightly wet, can conduct electricity and then electrocute you.
· Be careful not to put your feet near water where a downed power line is located.
· Do not drive over downed lines.
· If you are in your car and it is in contact with the downed line, stay in your car. Honk your horn for help and tell others to stay away from your vehicle.
·
If you must leave your car because it’s on fire, jump out of the
vehicle with both feet together and avoid contact with the live car and the
ground at the same time. This way you avoid being the path of electricity from
the car to the earth. Shuffle away from the car.