Electricity provides us with many comforts and conveniences. Everyday, we use refrigerators, TV’s, VCR’s, stereos, microwave ovens, home computers and many other appliances. Like other forms of energy, electricity must be treated with respect. 

While electricity provides us with many luxuries in the home, it also has the potential to cause harm.  Ensuring that your home complies with the safety checklist below can prevent many potential dangers of electricity.

Checklist

q       Electric outlets are not overloaded with lots of plugs

q       Electric cords are in good condition

q       Electric cords do not run under rugs or furniture legs near hot appliances

q       Carry appliances by the handle and not the cord

q       There is a fire extinguisher in the house and that you know how to use it

q       Safety caps are on outlets that children can reach

q       Small appliances are turned off and/or unplugged when leaving your house

q       Cords should not be nailed or stapled to a wall, baseboard or any other object

Everyday, parents are telling their kids to play it safe. Parents educate their children on the dangers of busy roads and talking to people they do not know, but are parents educating their children on how to play it safe around electricity?

Parents should take the time to point out to children potential areas of danger around the home, the neighborhood and even the community. Simply pointing out where overhead power lines, underground power lines and the service entrance (meter) are located to children and urging them to keep their distance could save a child’s life.

Children are always climbing, digging and exploring. It’s a natural part of being a kid. Every time a child climbs a tree that is located near power lines, there is potential for a mishap to occur. Eliminate the possibility of any climbing accident by educating your children on the dangers of power lines near trees.  Explain to your children thatclimbing trees or on top of structures decrease the clearance between power lines and themselves.  Climbing trees, flying kites, and building tree houses near power lines are never a good idea- communicate this with children.

Substations are off-limits places that kids always seem to be infatuated with. It is like forbidden fruit- the “High Voltage” and “Warning” signs entice children even more to go where they are not supposed to go. Explain to your kids the importance of staying away form the substation areas and tell them not to enter the fenced area for any reason.

We all know that children love to climb on and over just about anything. Fences are particularly inviting, but parents must stress the importance of staying away from substations.

It’s time for parents to take action- discussing the dangers of electricity is one of the greatest lessons parents can share with their children.

Title: Misconceptions of Power lines
Do you know the facts when it comes to power lines and electrical safety? When using a ladder around the house, installing any kind of antennas and trimming the trees in your yard, be mindful of overhead power lines. Here are a few misconceptions about power lines and answers to common questions about electricity.

Misconception #1: Birds land on wires, so they must be safe to touch.
The main objective of electricity is to reach the ground and it will always try to get to the ground by the easiest, most direct route. Birds do not get electrocuted when they land on wires because they do not represent a path to the ground. A bird on the wire doesn’t give electricity anywhere to go except to go back to the wire, so it is easier for a current to continue on its way in the wire.

However, a ladder, a pole or even something as small as a wet string that comes in contact with a power line provide the electric current with a new path to the ground and can be dangerous. If you are in contact with an object that is somehow touching a power line, then you may become part of the path to the ground and be electrocuted.

Misconception # 2: Power lines are insulated, so they're safe to touch.
This is a common misconception that many people have about power lines. Power lines are not insulated and you should always avoid contact with them. It is quite possible for people to get electrocuted if you touch power lines.

Misconception #3: As long as my ladder isn’t metal, it’s safe to rest it on a power line.
While metal is an excellent conductor, it is not the only conductor. Water is also a conductor, so if there is any water on your wooden ladder, then there is a distinct possibility that you could get severely injured if you are touching it.  In fact, no matter what the ladder is made of, if it holds moisture or can get wet, then it represents a potential hazard. Be safe- keep all ladders away from overhead power lines.

Misconception #4: As long as my ladder isn’t touching the line, I’m safe.   
Not exactly. It depends on how far away the ladder is from the line. Electricity can jump and often does when a potential conductor like a metal ladder comes within a certain proximity that depends on the weather conditions, the voltage of the power line, and other factors. Keep yourself and all objects at least 10 feet from overhead power lines.

Remember to play it safe around power lines.  If you do not know whether a situation is safe or not, contact your local electric cooperative to ask the experts, and stay away from power lines until you get the correct answers!

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