Electrical Safety: It's Always in Season

Fallen tree limbs are a cause of broken power lines and short circuits during storm-related power failures. You can help us prevent these situations by following these guidelines:

• Consider power lines when landscaping
• Plant only low-growing varieties of trees within 20 feet of overhead power lines.
• Contact the cooperative to trim existing tree limbs that may encroach on overhead power lines.

The cooperative is responsible for the maintenance of areas under and around power lines, up to the meter connection. Avoid planting trees in these areas. Beyond that point, maintenance is the responsibility of the member.

The cooperative offers a tree planting guide to help members make the appropriate choices of species and planting location.

The cooperative follows a rigid right-of-way maintenance program which includes clearing of brush and trees from under and near power lines, with very minimal use of chemical treatments. A cooperative employee will make an effort to contact each property owner prior to beginning clearing work. If you prefer that the cooperative not use chemicals on your property, please contact our office.

Safety is Our Concern

Promoting the safe use of electrical energy in the home and on the farm is a priority concern of your electric cooperative's employees.

We offer safety education programs to schools, service organizations and civic groups. A variety of educational tools are available, including speakers, video tapes and handouts. For large groups, a life-size high voltage demonstration vividly shows the effects of contact with a high voltage power line.

To request safety information or schedule a group presentation, contact our office.

Keep electrical safety in mind. Heed these reminders:

• Never touch an electrical power line that has fallen. Treat it as though it is energized. It could be! Remember, you can't tell by looking at it. Call the professionals at your electric cooperative.
• Power substations are strictly off-limits!
• It is very unsafe to climb on electric utility structures or reach into electric utility enclosures.
• Fly kites or tethered model airplanes away from power lines.
• Look up and live! Never use metal elevators, metal irrigation pipes, well-digging equipment, metal ladders or other metal equipment near power lines.
• All antennas should be grounded.
• Do not use electrical tools or appliances in a wet environment or outdoors, if it is raining.
• Only moisture resistant appliance cords should be used outdoors.
• Electrical outlets for outdoor use should be weatherproofed.
• Disconnect cords from outlets by pulling the plug, not the cord.
• Power tools require heavy duty electrical cords.
• Electrical safety begins with proper wiring. Wiring should be installed and checked by a qualified electrician. A minimum of a 200-amp service is recommended for a home.
• Use Ground Fault Interrupters for receptacles near water sources in bathrooms and kitchens, outdoors, in garages and in unfinished basements.
• Make sure that each family member knows the location of the main fuse or circuit breaker in the home and understands how to operate it in case of an emergency.
• If a fuse blows, only replace it with another fuse of the proper size. Never insert a penny behind a fuse or try to bypass it in anyway. To do so is very unsafe.
• Major electrical appliances should have their own circuits.
• Never use a hair dryer electric shaver or curling iron while in the bathtub. Never place electrical appliances, radios or televisions where they could fall into your bath water.
• Check cords and plugs for wear. Never place cords under carpets. Don't overload outlets.
• If you need to cut a tree that is near a power line, call the cooperative. Our crews have the equipment and knowledge to do the job safely. There won't be a charge, as long as the tree is located where it could fall on the power lines.

Safety Tips to Protect Your Family from Carbon Monoxide

• Install a carbon monoxide detector that sounds an audible alarm near each sleeping area.
• Check all venting systems to the outside to make certain they're free of obstructions.
• Have gas appliances serviced annually. Better yet, replace them with electric appliances that produce no carbon monoxide.
• Never use barbecue grills indoors.
• Do not run your vehicle in an attached garage with the door closed.
• Seal cracks and other openings in your house foundation. This will limit the flow of radon into your home and reduce the loss of conditioned air.
• Install an air-to-air heat exchanger to increase ventilation.
• Inspect your home each year at the beginning of the heating season.

Oakdale Electric Cooperative has carbon monoxide detectors available for purchase.

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