Check-up on Electric Safety

Inside Safety—Wiring

• If your home is heated electrically, it should have at least a 200-amp service.
• Every family member should know the location of the main fuse or circuit breaker and know how to operate it. These breakers or fuse boxes control the electric circuits in your home or building and are protective devices.
• When a fuse “blows”, always replace it with one of the proper size. If the reason is not apparent why the fuse “blew”, have an electrician check it out.
• Never try to “cheat” a fuse box with a penny—you are only inviting the possibility of a fire.
• Make sure all convenience outlets are grounded.
• Use child protective outlet covers.
• Install a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) in the bathroom and other locations where water can come in contact with electricity.
• Turn the power off when working on any and all electrical equipment.

Inside Safety—Cords

• Check cords for wear, especially at the plug and connections.
• Keep cords away from heat or water.
• Plugs on electrical appliance cords should be the three-prong type. The third prong is there to ground and prevent shocks.
• Make sure cords are not placed where people can trip over them.
• Disconnect an appliance by pulling on the plug, not the cord.
• Replace cut, punctured or scuffed up electric cords.
• Never run a cord under a rug or through a wet area.
• Never overload a circuit. “Octopus” plugs invite overloading and the possibility of a fire.

Inside Safety—Appliances

• Make sure all electric appliances have the Underwriters Laboratory tag or label (UL Approved).
• If an appliance sputters, sparks or buzzes, turn it off and get it repaired.
• Every major electrical appliance should have its own circuit.
• Never use a hair dryer, curling iron, radio or other electrical appliance near water. Water and electricity don’t mix.
• Never handle or use appliances if you are wet or are standing on a wet surface.
• If you have a portable electric space heater, make sure it comes with a protective shut-off if tipped.
• Never use space heaters near curtains or flammable material.
• Never stick a fork in a toaster to retrieve food while the toaster is working.
• Always unplug or turn off any appliance before doing repairs.

Outdoor Safety

• Be aware of the location of overhead power lines when moving irrigation pipe, augers, metal ladders and any other aerial equipment.
• Touching a live power line can cause serious injury and death. You can’t tell by looking whether a line is “hot” or not. Even if a downed line isn’t actively sparking, always assume it is carrying electricity.
• If you come upon a downed power line, don’t go near the wire or anything it is touching. Warn others to stay away. Call South Central PPD immediately at 1-800-557-5254 or 402-225-2351.
• Kites should never be flown near overhead power lines.
• Avoid using electrical tools around water.
• Keep cords away from wet surfaces and water puddles.
• Do not plant trees under power lines.
• Before digging, locate underground power lines by contacting the Diggers Hot Line at 811.
• If you are in an auto accident and power lines fall on your car, try to drive away from the lines. If your car is stuck, stay in the vehicle and warn others to stay away. Touching the ground and your vehicle at the same time could cause a severe, and possibly fatal, shock.
• Install metal objects, such as television antennas, at least twice their height away from the nearest electric power line. Antennas should be grounded.
• Never go inside the fence around a power substation.
• Don’t shoot at or otherwise damage insulators on utility poles.
• Only use weatherproof electrical outlets for outdoor use.
• Make sure to use moisture-resistant appliance cords outdoors.
• Power tools should have heavy-duty, grounded cords.
• If you use a standby generator during power outages, improper generator hookup can create serious problems in safety and service. Your generator should have a double-throw switch which is used to transfer the electric service from the power line to the generator. If it is not used, feedback from the generator voltage on power lines could endanger the lives of the line crews working to restore your power.

Kids Safety

• Teach children how to use electricity safely.
• Never go inside the fence around a power substation.
• Do not fly kites near power lines.
• Learn about electricity
• Kid’s Korner
• Energy Quest
• Museum of Science