Around the Home
- Never put fingers or other objects in electric outlets. Cover outlets to keep children away.
- Throw away old or frayed extension cords. They can cause a fire.
- Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) safety outlets in bathrooms and kitchens. They monitor electric current and trip the circuit, cutting off electricity if there is a loss of current.
- Keep electrical appliances away from water. Water and electricity do not mix.
- Use light bulbs that are the proper wattage for the fixture. Improper wattage bulbs can cause an electrical fire.
- Turn off appliances before unplugging them. Pull the plug not the cord when unplugging appliances.
- Never use water to put out an electrical fire. Use the appropriate fire extinguisher.
- Never tamper with your electrical meter. It is illegal and unsafe.
Around Overhead Power Lines
- Map out ways to avoid them when moving equipment. Make sure everyone understands that any contact with these lines carries the potential for a serious, even fatal, accident. Taking a moment to plan before beginning work could save a life.
- To prevent accidental contact with lines, know the height of all your farm equipment and the height of the power lines. Mississippi state law provides a 10-foot right of way along either side of a power line. Tall equipment must be kept out of this right of way zone.
- Be extra careful when moving pipes. Many electrical accidents on farms occur when irrigation pipes are accidentally raised into power lines. This combination can be deadly.
- Avoid moving large equipment alone. Have someone watch as you drive equipment to ensure that you stay clear of power lines.
- These rules also apply to guy wires that support power line poles. Keep mowers, tractors and other equipment clear of these wires. Damaging guy wires can weaken the poles, and even, cause them to topple, bringing live power lines down onto the ground and creating an extremely hazardous situation.
- Caution should be taken when installing antennas, satellites or while performing other general maintenance on a roof. Contact with power lines is life threatening.
Around Fallen Power Lines
- Is it dead or alive? That power line you see lying on the ground can be either; you can’t tell by looking.
- Severe storms, automobile accidents, fire and other circumstances can cause power lines to fall to the ground. When you see a fallen or damaged power line, remember this life saving lesson – never touch a power line!
- Assume every power line is “live,” meaning it still has electricity flowing through it and can seriously burn you or even cause fatal injuries if you touch it. Wires that are “dead” can suddenly become energized when crews are working on them. Stay away from power lines and warn others, especially children to stay away too.
- Don’t touch anything that is touching the power line, such as a fence, a car or piece of machinery. If a wire falls on your car while you’re in it, stay put. Wait for help to arrive before opening the door.
- If you see a power line on the ground, call Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association, or alert the police, sheriff’s office or fire department immediately.
- Although accidents involving electricity are rare, they can happen when people get careless. Following a few simple safety rules and teaching them to your children, can prevent tragedy.
- Utility lines are also buried in the ground. Beware of the possibility of underground power lines before digging.