May is recognized as Electrical Safety Month, and at A&N Electric Cooperative, safety remains our highest priority — not only for our employees, but for the members and communities we serve. We encourage everyone to stay aware and practice electrical safety at home, at work and outdoors.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, thousands of Americans are seriously injured or killed each year due to electrical incidents in their homes. These risks highlight the importance of awareness and education.
Throughout the year, A&N Electric Cooperative supports safety education by engaging with local schools, civic groups and community events. We also share safety information through Cooperative Living magazine, our website and other outreach efforts. Members are urged to report downed power lines or any hazardous electrical situation immediately.
Common Electrical Safety Hazards
Overhead Power Lines
Always stay alert and look up for overhead power lines. Contact with these lines is a leading cause of electrical fatalities — many involving individuals outside of electrical professions.
Treat all power lines as energized and dangerous. Maintain at least 10 feet of distance between yourself, your equipment and any overhead lines. Carry ladders and long tools horizontally to reduce risk.
If you encounter a downed power line, stay at least 35 feet away and contact the cooperative or call 911 right away.
Call Before You Dig – 811
Before starting any project that involves digging — whether planting, installing a fence or tackling a larger excavation — contact Virginia 811 at least three working days in advance.
This free service marks the approximate location of underground utilities, helping prevent damage and injury. Even shallow digging can pose risks, as some utility lines are just inches below the surface.
Remember the Dig with C.A.R.E. steps:
- Contact 811
- Allow time for marking
- Respect the marks
- Excavate carefully
Workplace Electrical Safety
A significant number of electrical fatalities occur in non-electrical professions. Stay aware of potential hazards in your workplace, avoid restricted electrical areas and speak up if a task feels unsafe.
All electrical work should be handled by trained professionals, and proper safety measures — such as GFCI protection — should be in place, especially where water is present.
Generator Safety
Portable generators can be valuable during outages, but they must be used safely. Always follow manufacturer guidelines.
Generators should be installed with a proper transfer switch to prevent dangerous backfeeding into the cooperative’s system. If you install a generator, notify A&N Electric Cooperative so crews are aware during outage restoration.
Members can also take advantage of the cooperative’s GenerLink™ emergency transfer switch program for safe generator connection.
By staying informed and taking simple precautions, you can help protect yourself, your family and your community during Electrical Safety Month and beyond.