Electrical Safety

At work or play, stay safe outdoors when electricity is around. Here are six tips to keep you from harm's way:

KEEP CLEAR OF POWER LINES

When power lines are nearby, use wooden or fiberglass ladders, not metal.
Never place a ladder where it can fall into a power line.
Carry ladders or long-handled tools low enough to avoid coming into contact with overhead lines.
Don't install an antenna where it might fall and hit a power line.

CHECK OUT YOUR EQUIPMENT

Keep all electrical appliances a safe distance away from water and don't use power tools when standing in wet areas. Never use an electric mower when the grass is wet.
Power tools should be properly grounded, and use only heavy-duty extension cords rated for outdoor use.
Make sure outdoor electrical outlets are grounded and have weather-proof covers.

LANDSCAPE WITH CARE

Call before you dig. Barron Electric Cooperative or Digger's Hotline can tell you the location of any underground lines.
Don't plant tall-growing trees under power lines. If you have a tree with power lines running through it, don't climb it or build anything in it. Call if the tree needs trimming.
Keep bushy shrubs away from your meter.

AVOID SUBSTATIONS AND TRANSFORMERS

Instruct your children to stay away from utility substation fences and pad-mounted transformers.
If you see a substation fence or transformer cabinet that has been vandalized, call Barron Electric Cooperative immediately.
Teach children to look for DANGER signs displayed on all high-voltage equipment.

FLY WITH SAFETY

Never fly kites or model airplanes near power lines. It is also important never to use wire or metal on kites-use only dry string.
Don't release metallic balloons. They can get caught in power lines and cause outages.
Let Barron Electric Cooperative untangle kites or balloons that do get snagged on overhead lines. Don't try to do it yourself.

LEAVE DOWNED POWER LINES ALONE

If you come across a downed power line, call Barron Electric Cooperative immediately. DO NOT GO NEAR IT.
If a power line falls on your car, stay inside unless the car catches fire. In such a case, jump clear of the car without touching metal and the ground at the same time.
If someone comes in contact with a live outdoor power line, the only safe thing to do is call Barron Electric Cooperative immediately so the power can be turned off. NEVER ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE VICTIM OR THE POWER LINE. Electrical safety should be a part of the daily routine for you and your family. Use this important resource wisely and know what to do in an emergency. Keep all emergency numbers near the telephone.