May is recognized as Electrical Safety Month, and safety is a top priority at A&N Electric Cooperative. Our concern for safety extends beyond our employees. We care deeply about the safety of our members and we encourage you to be safety conscious.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, thousands of people in the United States are critically injured and electrocuted as a result of electrical fires, accidents and electrocution in their own homes.
To promote safety education in our local communities, we speak with local civic organizations, school and are available at many community events throughout the year.
We provide electrical safety content in Cooperative Living magazine, and we encourage the public to contact us if they see a downed power line or any other type of dangerous electrical situation.
Here are three examples of electric safety hazards from the Electrical Safety Foundation:
OVERHEAD POWER LINE SAFETY
Always look up; be aware of overhead power lines. Contact with overhead power lines accounts for 46% of all electrical fatalities and 57% of those overhead power line fatalities were in non-electrical occupations, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation.
Always assume all lines are live and dangerous. Keep yourself and your equipment at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines and do not touch anything that is in contact with overhead power lines. It is good practice to carry equipment, including ladders, horizontally to avoid contact with power lines.
If you see a downed line, stay at least 35 feet away from it and contact the cooperative or call 911 as soon as possible.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, 69% of all electrical fatalities involved non-electrical occupations.
Be aware of potential electrical hazards in the workplace. Avoid electrical rooms and other potentially hazardous areas. Know when to say when. If you feel unsafe performing a job, say something.
All electrical work should be completed by qualified
workers with proper training and GFCI protection should be installed where electricity and water may come in contact.
PROTECT YOUR ELECTRIC BIKE AND ELECTRIC SCOOTER
- Lithium-ion batteries power many portable consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and even store power in energy storage systems. In normal applications, the batteries are safe, but if damaged or overheated, they can cause fires.
- Only use manufacturer-provided or authorized batteries and charging equipment. All equipment should be certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory.
- Remove the battery or charging device from power once charging is complete to avoid overheating
- Keep batteries and charge them at room temperature, as issues can occur below 32 degrees or above 105 degrees
- Keep batteries and devices from heat sources or anything that can catch fire
- Do not store batteries in vehicles or direct sunlight
- All maintenance on batteries or e-mobility devices should be completed by a qualified professional
- Discontinue using devices or batteries that have an unusual odor, change in color, too much heat, change in shape, are leaking, smoking, or not keeping a charge.