For Electric Safety Tips - Outdoors, click here!
For Electric Safety Tips - Indoors, click here!
For Gas Safety Tips, click here!

ELECTRIC SAFETY TIPS - OUTDOORS

Underground Power Lines - CALL BEFORE YOU DIG. The number is 1-800-348-1030. Please call at least 48 hours before digging. If you hit an underground power line you could be seriously or fatally injured. You could also be liable for damages. So before digging or moving earth in any way, call 1-800-348-1030 to locate underground utilities.

If someone is being shocked by electricity, do not touch them or anything they are touching. Do not try to use an object to remove the source of electricity. You could be seriously or fatally injured.

If you hit a power pole... Stay inside the vehicle and wait for rescue workers. If fire or other danger forces you out, jump clear of any fallen lines without touching the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Take care not to fall back toward the vehicle or lines. Land with your feet together and shuffle a long distance away.

Lightning. If you're caught in a lightning storm, seek shelter. Stay away from trees and bodies of water. Seek shelter in a vehicle or house. If you're caught in the open, drop to your knees and bend forward with your hands on your knees. Do not lie flat on the ground.

Pad-mounted Transformers. Don't dig near them or pry them open. These transformers are inside sturdy metal cabinets that are locked for safety. Never sit on or near them. If you find one that's unlocked, call Lower Valley Energy immediately.

GFCIs. Always use them outdoors. GFCIs shut off power in time to prevent serious shock. GFCI protection is required for outdoor areas, crawl spaces and garages, in addition to kitchens and bathrooms. Outlets with red and black "test" and "reset" buttons have GFCIs. Portable GFCIs are available.

Kites and Balloons. Fly them away from power lines. Kites or balloons that contact power lines can cause shock or fire, so keep them away from overhead lines.

Substations. Stay out of substations. Tell children that if a ball, pet or toy gets into a substation, they should tell an adult and call Lower Valley Energy. Never try to retrieve it yourself.

Fallen Power Lines. Keep Away! If you see a fallen power line, keep your distance. The line can be dangerous, even if it's not sparking. Report the line to Lower Valley Energy immediately.

Power Tools. Select tools designed for outdoor use. They should have heavier wiring and be double insulated or have three-way grounded plugs. When working outside or near water, be sure to plug tools into a GFCI.

Overhead Power Lines. Keep your distance!! When carrying and using ladders and other long tools, make sure to keep them at least 10 feet away from all power lines, including the line from the power pole to your home.

High-Voltage Towers. Stay clear of high-voltage towers. Never touch or climb on these towers. Overhead wires and other tower equipment carry very high voltage electricity.

Tree Safety. Work and play safely around trees. Contact Lower Valley Energy before pruning, trimming or cutting down trees that are near overhead power lines. Don't let children climb trees that are near power lines.

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ELECTRIC SAFETY TIPS - INDOORS

In case of electrical fire, do not use water. If possible, unplug the appliance or equipment. If the fire is small, use a fire extinguisher made for use with electrical fires. If the fire is not small, leave the house immediately. Call 911 to get help.

Stay out of electricity's path. Electricity takes the easiest path to the ground. If you touch electricity, or something touching electricity, and the ground at the same time, you become a path. Electricity will flow through you. You could be seriously or fatally injured.

Your body can conduct electricity. The human body is about 70% water and electricity flows very easily through water. That's why electricity can use your body as a path to ground.

Holiday Safety. Keep the holidays happy. Always turn off holiday lights before you leave home. Keep trees, boxes and wrapping paper away from heat sources.

Electrical Fires. Keep your family safe. Keep anything flammable away from light bulbs, heaters or toasters. Turn off appliances before you leave home. Install smoke detectors, keep a fire extinguisher on hand and have a family fire escape plan.

GFCIs can save your life. Ground Fault Circuit Indicators (GFCIs) shut off power in time to prevent serious shock. Use them in bathrooms, garages, near kitchen sinks and outdoors. If your outlet has red and black "test" and "reset" buttons, it has a GFCI. Portable GFCIs are also available.

Backup Generator. Make sure it's safe. Never operate a home backup generator without a properly installed transfer switch that disconnects it from the main power lines. A generator that remains connected to power lines can back feed power into them, shocking unsuspecting utility workers.

Outlets. Don't overload outlets. An overloaded outlet is a fire hazard. If your outlets are overloaded with many appliances, consider having a qualified electrician install additional outlets.

Appliance Cords. Frayed cords are dangerous. Cord insulation keeps electricity in the wires, where it belongs. Regularly check appliance power cords and connections for wear. Don't use frayed or cracked cords.

Extension Cords. Practice extension cord safety. Extension cords are for temporary use. Keep them away from moisture, heat or metal pipes. Never put them under rugs because they can become frayed or cracked without your being able to see the damage.

Your Toaster. In case of burnt toast...never insert a metal fork or knife into a toaster under any circumstances. Metal conducts electricity. If you must remove burnt toast, unplug the toaster first.

In the Bathroom. Don't mix water and electricity. Electricity flows easily through water, so keep hair dryers, curling irons, electric razors, electric toothbrushes and other appliances away from bathtubs, sinks and wet hands. Install GFCI outlets in bathrooms.

In the Kitchen. Water plus electricity can be shocking. Always unplug an appliance before cleaning it. Even if turned off, it can shock you. Use outlets with GFCIs for appliances near sinks.

Child Safety. Keep little hands out of trouble. If small children are in your home, put safety covers on all electrical outlets that are within their reach. Keep appliances and cords away from children.

In Case of Outages. Keep these items handy. Flashlights or battery-powered lanterns, chemical light sticks, battery-powered radio, bottled water, canned and dried foods, blankets, thermos, manual can opener and first aid supplies. Keep extra batteries, rotate to keep fresh ones on hand.

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GAS SAFETY TIPS

When Gas is escaping outside a building: If unignited gas is escaping from the ground, from an excavation or from an open pipe outside a building, NOTIFY LOWER VALLEY IMMEDIATELY. A safe area surrounding the location should be cleared, roped or barricaded. Extinguish open flames. Prohibit smoking. Check surrounding buildings for the presence of gas odors. Restrict or reroute all traffic.

When Gas is burning outdoors: The best method of controlling an outdoor gas fire is to shut off the gas flow. NOTIFY LOWER VALLEY IMMEDIATELY. In most cases firefighters should not attempt to put out the fire while the gas is still escaping. Clear the danger area and rope or barricade the area. Spray the surrounding combustibles if there is a danger of ignition. If it is necessary to extinguish the flame before the gas flow can be stopped, use dry chemical extinguishers at the base of the flame, and wet the surrounding area with fog to prevent reignition. Service shut-off valves are located at each meter and can be turned off with a wrench when necessary. Valves should NEVER be turned on again once they have been turned off. Turning the wrong valve or opening a closed valve could further endanger life or property.

When gas is detected inside a building, NOTIFY LOWER VALLEY IMMEDIATELY. Clear the building of all occupants. Ventilate the building by opening doors and windows completely. Do not operate electrical switches or telephones. Turn of the gas at the meter shut-off valve if it can be done safely. Do not allow anyone to re-enter the building until Lower Valley has secured the leak and determined the building is free of gas.

When gas is burning inside a building, NOTIFY LOWER VALLEY IMMEDIATELY. If the gas supply cannot be safely shut off, keep the surrounding combustibles wet until Lower Valley emergency crews can control the flowing gas.

Appliance Fires: In some cases gas may burn out of control at an appliance. Usually such incidents can be controlled by shutting off the appliance at its own shut-off valve. If the appliance shut-off valve can't be located or utilized, then shut-off gas flow at the meter. NOTIFY LOWER VALLEY IMMEDIATELY and explain to the service person upon their arrival what you have done.

Gas Detection: Natural gas has a distinctive odor added and can usually be recognized by smell. In any investigation of possible gas leaks, NOTIFY LOWER VALLEY IMMEDIATELY. Lower Valley has trained personnel who are equipped with gas detecting instruments and will assist with identifying the problem.

Proper venting is important when installing natural gas fireplaces and gas logs to ensure the user's safety and appliance's proper operation. Venting for these appliances should comply both with the manufacturer's installation instructions and with local codes.

Check and inspect furnaces at least once each year to insure operating efficiency and safety.

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