Safety Tips

  • Electricity Theft: Not Worth the Risk

    Each year, utilities across the country cope with thieves—folks who deliberately tamper with their electric meter to steal power. Not only is this practice extremely dangerous, it’s a serious crime with hefty fines and possible jail time.

    We’ve seen people do some dangerous things—using knives, forks, magnets, jumper cables, and any number of other objects to get around paying for the power they use.  However, not only are these individuals stealing from their fellow co-op members, they’re also risking their lives and those of our workers.

    According to the Cooperative Research Network, a division of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, power delivered through a compromised meter can cause an electrical catastrophe. A short circuit could produce an arc flash bright enough to cause blindness and powerful enough to launch fragments of shrapnel-like, red-hot debris. Serious injury or death from electrocution, explosion or fire often results from meter tampering. Only trained Central Alabama Electric Cooperative (CAEC) personnel wearing protective clothing should work on meters.

    Electricity theft is not a victimless crime. Your not-for-profit co-op loses revenue and expends resources to investigate tampering. These costs are then passed on to the entire membership. National estimates vary, but The Washington Post cited revenue protection officials who claim between $1 billion and $10 billion worth of electricity is stolen from utilities annually.

    Everyone pays for lost power. While we continue to monitor for theft through technology and on site personel, please let us know if you suspect meter tampering.  Call us at 1-800-5445-5735 to report possible theft of service. All information can be given anonymously.

     

     

     

     

  • Talk to your children about electrical safety

    Children often do not understand the danger of electricity and electrical equipment. In their innocent and imaginative minds, what can be potentially dangerous may go unnoticed or even appear enticing and fun. Take an opportunity to point out overhead power lines and any other electrical equipment to children and explain what they are.

    Safe Electricity recommends teaching children to follow these rules:

    • Never climb trees near power lines. Even if the power lines are not touching the tree, they could touch when more weight is added to the branch.
    • Kites and model airplanes should be flown only during good weather conditions in large open areas, like an open park or a wide field. Keep kites away from overhead power lines or other electrical equipment, such as substations. If a kite gets stuck in a tree near power lines, do not climb up to get it. Electricity can travel down kite strings or wires. Contact your electric utility for assistance.
    • Never climb a utility pole or tower. The electricity carried through this equipment is high voltage and could kill you.
    • Don’t play on or around pad-mounted electrical equipment. These are often green metal “boxes” on cement pads and contain transformers.
    • Never go into an electric substation. Electric substations contain high-voltage equipment; even raising your hand inside one can cause an arc that may cause an electric shock. Never attempt to retrieve a pet, ball, or any toy from these areas. Call your electric utility instead.
    • Immediately seek shelter if lightning or thunder is present while playing outdoors.
    • When designing a tree house or outdoor play area for children, take preventive precautions before starting your project. Do not install playground equipment or swimming pools underneath or near power lines. Installation of either will require digging; call your local underground utility locating service to have buried lines marked, so you can avoid serious injury and damage.

    Protect all family members from serious shock and injuries by installing ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) on outdoor outlets and in interior rooms where water is present. A GFCI shuts off power instantly if it detects a problem. Use portable GFCIs for outdoor outlets that don’t have them. GFCIs are affordably priced and found at hardware stores.

    Be careful using electrical appliances outdoors, even if plugged into GFCI-equipped outlets. Never use appliances with frayed or damaged extension cords and always be sure the ground prong is intact.

    Teach kids never touch an electric appliance while in a pool or hot tub, to keep all electrical appliances at least ten feet away from pools, ponds, and wet surfaces, and that it is never safe to swim in a pool or lake when a storm is brewing.

    Teach older children to exercise caution before plugging in a radio, CD player, or any electrical gadget outdoors and never leave any electrical appliance outside. If it rains, the device could get wet and cause an electrical shock when used later.

    Flooded areas are never safe spots to wade or play in, and if there has been severe weather, may be in contact with energized electrical equipment or fallen power lines left behind.

    Make sure your family members know to stay away from downed power lines and wires and tell children to report any fallen or dangling wires to an adult. Downed power lines are dangerous; always assume any power line is energized and stay far away. Call your local utility immediately if you or your child encounters a downed power line and include this number with other posted emergency phone numbers.

  • Charging Safely

    Many times it seems as though the chargers that came with your phone, digital camera or other electronics seem to disappear as often as a sock mate. As a solution, many people reach for the low-cost, generic plug-in USB chargers and charging cables found in the sea of impulse items that flank the check-out line at your favorite drug, convenience or big-box store. They’re also popular items on numerous online shopping sites and cheaper than dishing out money to replace them with their original maker’s versions.

    But inexpensive charging components may be one area you don’t want to cut corners and for a variety of reasons. Amazon recalled 26,000 AmazonBasics portable lithium-ion battery chargers and power banks after the massive online retailer learned the units could overheat and ignite, causing fire and burn hazards. According to the U.S. Consumer Safety Product Commission, the products were sold between December 2014 and July 2017.

    Along with being a potential fire hazard, using cheaply made charging components and devices can also cause electrocution. Dangers aside, they may cost you more in the long run since they can cause damage to whatever’s on the other end of the cable. To stay safe around electrical devices and charging gear, Safe Electricity recommends the following:

    • Do not leave items that are charging unattended.
    • Always keep charging items away from flammable objects, especially bedding, and do not take them to bed with you. Tell kids and teens to NEVER place any charging device under their pillow. The heat generated cannot dissipate and the charger will become hotter and hotter. This could lead to the pillow or bed catching fire.
    • Do not touch charging electronic devices with wet hands or while standing in water.
    • Make sure charging components are certified by a reputable third-party testing laboratory.
    • Only buy product-approved chargers and cables (those made or certified by the manufacturer). Using cheaper devices can cause damage to the USB charge chip. Although it’s tempting to save money, this can have a lasting impact on how quickly and effectively your device charges in the future.

    The bottom line is this: Don’t buy charging equipment with prices that seem too good to be true or from companies you’ve never heard of. And even if you’ve heard of the company, be leery of fakes. In 2016, Apple sued a company that sold counterfeit wall chargers with Apple’s name on them for less than $10 each. Say no to cheap chargers!

  • Tackle Home Projects Safely

    If there’s one thing we know in Alabama, it’s football. As you cheer on our favorite teams each Saturday and relish the tackles and amazing plays, don’t forget to keep safety front and center when tackling a do-it-yourself project to avoid injury while getting game-winning results.

    Score points with safety equipment

    Just like a helmet and pads are required on a football field, safety items are essential for DIY tasks. Read and follow directions on every power tool you use. Wearing eye and ear protection and gloves, as well as tying back loose hair and securing loose clothing, are all important for your safety. If renting a tool, ask the store for safety tips.

    Look up, down, and all around

    For outside projects, first check the area where you will be working. Identify potential hazards and take time to avoid or correct any problems. Don’t forget to look up for power lines, and avoid using long poles or ladders within 10 ft. of overhead wires.

    Will your project involve any digging? Before starting your project, call 811 before you dig even if you think you know where underground lines may be. The 811 service will mark all underground lines in your area for free before you start work.

    Avoid the blitz

    Water and electricity don’t mix, so avoid running cords through wet areas. Inspect cords for fraying or damage before use, and be sure outlets can handle any extra load from power tools. Overloading outlets can lead to more than a shock: fire hazards may result from demanding too much from an electrical system.

    Be honest with yourself

    If a job seems like it might be too much to handle, leave it to a professional. Take into consideration heavy lifting, expensive tools that may get limited use and whether you really have the time. That way, you won’t be temped to skip safety measures.

     

    football field crop

  • Large Appliance Safety

    Can you imagine having to go out to the ice-house to get something to cook for dinner? Or spending hours scrubbing clothes on a washboard? Modern conveniences surely make life much easier today than it was 40 or 50 years ago, with large appliances such as refrigerators and washers taking the pain out of our daily tasks.

    We often use these appliances without a second thought, which means we can sometimes forget to keep safety in mind. One of the most common dangers posed by large appliances is the risk of fire, accounting for 9,600 fires annually. Follow the safety and maintenance rules below to keep your appliances running at peak efficiency while keeping you and your family safe.

    Clothes Washers:

    • Avoid overloading a washing machine.
    • Make sure your washing machine is properly grounded with a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet (GFCI) – contact a qualified electrician to have one installed.
    • Make sure the right plug and outlet are used together—washers should have a three prong, GFCI electrical plug.
    • Never use a washer that is sitting in water.

    Clothes Dryers:

    • Do not operate a dryer without a lint filter, and always clean the lint filter before or after each use.
    • Rigid or flexible metal venting materials should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time.
    • Make sure the air exhaust pipe isn’t restricted and that the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is operating.
    • Clean lint out of the vent pipe once a year, or more often if you notice that it is taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry. You can also have a dryer lint removal service perform the work for you.
    • Do not leave a dryer running if you leave home or when you go to bed.
    • Never dry items that have come in contact with flammable substances, such as cooking oil, gasoline, paint thinner or alcohol.

    Oven/Ranges:

    • Keep burners, the stove top and oven clean and free of grease and other flammable debris.
    • Never leave flammable items, such as hot pads or towels, near burners.
    • Don’t leave food that is cooking unattended.
    • Always turn pot handles inward to avoid the possibility of knocking a pot off the stove.

    Refrigerators:

    • Vacuum refrigerator coils every three months to eliminate dirt buildup that reduces efficiency and creates fire hazards.
    • Allow air circulation behind the refrigerator.

    And remember, even a slight shock from any appliance can indicate an extremely hazardous wiring condition. Turn the power to the appliance off at the circuit breaker and do not touch the appliance until it has been checked by a licensed, electrician.

  • Up, up and Away! Fly Drones Safely

    In backyards and neighborhoods across the country, aviation enthusiasts are able to take to the sky thanks to drones–unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). As a result, there is an increasing need to ensure that these craft are flown safely, especially when around power lines and electrical equipment.

    If a drone flies into a power line, it could cause power interruptions. In October of 2015, a man flew a drone into power lines, causing an outage affecting nearly 650 people in West Hollywood. If a drone does get caught in power lines or equipment, such as a substation, you should never attempt to retrieve the aircraft. Call the power provider to safely remove the drone. Drones can even result in downed lines, which is a dangerous safety hazard. Don’t touch the drone, power lines or anything in contact with the lines (such as a fence or tree limb) and call 911 to notify emergency personnel and the utility immediately.

    Remember these simple, but vital, tips if you’re taking your drone to the skies:

    • Before flying, check the drone for any damage and have it repaired.
    • Never fly drones beyond your line of sight.
    • Do not fly in bad weather conditions, such as low viability or high winds.
    • Never fly recklessly. You could be fined for endangering other people or aircraft.
    • Do not fly near substations.

    The simplest tip is to look around. Know where power lines are and keep them in mind as you take the skies.

  • Lightning Safety

    In the United States, lightning kills an average of 66 people per year and injures another 300, according to the National Weather Service.
    Use the following tips to stay safe during storms:lightning strike

    • If you’re close enough to the storm to hear thunder, you’re most likely close enough to be struck by lightning. Seek shelter immediately.

    • Do not seek shelter under trees, picnic or rain shelters or in open-frame vehicles.

    • Don’t plug in or unplug anything electrical during the storm.

    • Don’t use corded telephones – phone use is the number one cause of indoor lightning injuries in the United States.

    • Avoid contact with water, pipes, washers or dryers.

    • If you can’t find shelter in a building or in a closed-frame vehicle, keep your feet together and sit on the ground away from water, high ground or open spaces.

    • If a person is struck by lightning, call 911 and care for the victim immediately. You can not be harmed by touching the victim after he or she has been struck.

    Many lightning victims are caught outside during a storm because they did not act promptly to get to a safe place, or they go back outside after the storm has passed. Be weather aware and keep yourself and those around you safe!

     

  • Surviving Auto Accidents Involving Power Lines

    Having a power line fall on your car can be one of the most frightening experiences you could ever have involving a motor vehicle. When a power line falls on your car, the potential exists for the vehicle to be energized with electricity, therefore if you attempt to exit it as you normally do, you could be electrocuted. The natural path for electricity is to the ground. And because tires are not good conductors of electricity, your body might become the conductor if you touch the ground and the vehicle at the same time.

    In some cases, the vehicle can remain energized and anyone who touches the vehicle and the ground at the same time could be electrocuted.

    If you ever find yourself in this unfortunate situation, follow these safety rules:

    • If your car isn’t on fire, call 911 and stay in your car. If you don’t have a cell phone and aren’t able to dial 911, ask anyone who approaches if they will call for you, but let them know not to touch the vehicle. Do not have them hand you the phone; instead, tell them to call 911, explain the situation and provide your location.
    • Be extremely cautious not to touch the car’s frame. If there are other passengers in the car, communicate with them that the safest thing you can do is to stay inside. Even one person exiting the car incorrectly could put everyone in danger of electrocution.
    • Be aware of other automobiles coming behind you or approaching the power lines from the opposite lane; honk your horn to signal to them that they should not get near the line.
    • Alert those in the area not to touch your car or get anywhere near the fallen power line.
    • Once the responders arrive to the scene, they may approach the car and possibly ask questions or give you instructions. Follow whatever advice they give you, as they will be able to assess your individual situation. Only exit the car after the utility has disconnected and grounded the power line and it is safe to get out of your vehicle.
    • If you think your car is on fire, make sure before taking the risk to evacuate. If you see smoke but no flames, watch the smoke to make sure that it isn’t exhaust or steam from the radiator coming from your car. Smoke is thick and won’t dissipate quickly, whereas exhaust will fade into the air. If you see flames, your car is definitely on fire and you should vacate as quickly and carefully as you can. Proceed by following these important steps:
    1. Open the latch of the door and push it open. Remove any loose-fitting clothing like jackets or scarves. The metal frame of the car could be charged with electricity by the power line, so it’s important not to contact the car and the ground at the same time.
    2. After you open the door to the car, hold your legs together and bring them slightly inward toward your body. Rotate your body, making sure to not let your feet or any other part of your body touch the ground while touching the car at the same time. Jump, don’t slide, out of the car. Your body should be in the air, not sitting in the car, when your feet touch the ground.
    3. Shuffle away from your car as fast as you can, keeping both feet together on the ground at all times. Alternately, you could also hop away from your car. If you choose to hop from the car, make sure that both of your feet hit the ground at the same time. Keep going until you’re at least 40 feet from the car.
    4. Call 911 – tell them your exact location and let them know that a power line has fallen onto your car and that the vehicle has caught on fire. They will instruct you as to the safe measures needed to get you and your passengers to safety.

    Remember, fallen or broken power lines may still be energized, even if they’re not sparking, smoking or making a buzzing sound. A basic knowledge of electrical safety can change the outcome of any disastrous incident.

  • With Little Ones, Invest in Tamper Resistant Receptacles

    While children’s curiosity knows no boundaries, it can sometimes put them in danger, especially when electricity is involved.

    Each year approximately 24,000 children under the age of 10 suffer severe shock and burns when they stick items into the slots of electrical receptacles; and it is estimated that there are six to 12 fatalities a year related to this hazard. Nearly one-third of these injuries are the result of small children placing ordinary household objects, such as paper clips, pens, safety pins, screws and nails, forks, hair pins, keys and coins, into an outlet.|

    trr image

    Since 2008, in order to help prevent these types of injuries, the National Electric Code (NEC) requires Tamper Resistant Receptacles (TRRs) in new residential construction and renovated homes. Tamper resistant receptacles feature built-in shutter systems that prevent foreign objects from touching electrically live components when they’re inserted into the slots. However, the shutters don’t impede normal plug insertion, removal or function. They are designed with spring-loaded receptacle cover plates that close off the receptacle openings, or slots (see diagram). The receptacle functions the same as a standard version, but adds a built-in safety mechanism preventing the delivery of electricity to anything other than plug blades. Existing homes can be easily retrofitted with TRRs using the same installation guidelines that apply to standard receptacles. They should only be installed by a licensed electrician and carry a label from a nationally recognized, independent testing lab, such as UL, ETL or CSA. These special receptacles have been used in pediatric areas of hospitals for more than 20 years and have proven to be a reliable solution in preventing electrical injuries.

    The specialized outlets cost about 50 cents more than a traditional receptacle. In a newly constructed home, TRRs would add as little as $50 to the total cost of the home. In existing homes, standard electrical receptacles can be replaced with TRRs for about $2 per outlet – a small price to pay to ensure that your children are protected against electrical shocks and burns from electrical outlets.

  • Make room for roadside crews

    When the winds blow and storms roll across our area, you might be more alert and expectant to see our line crews on the side of the road working to restore power. But do you expect to see them roadside on a bright and sunny day?

    To maintain our 5,000 plus miles of line, CAEC’s crews and contractors work not only during storms, but on clear days as well, a time when you might find yourself more easily distracted while driving. To help make our roadways safer for drivers, utility workers, emergency responders and maintenance personnel, The National Safety Council (NSC) observes April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. This recognition draws attention to the dangers of not having your full attention on the road around you.

    One of the leading causes of distracted driving is motorists being preoccupied by mobile devices—causing 1.6 million crashes and 330,000 injuries each year according to the National Safety Council. To help combat this issue, Alabama bans texting while driving for all motorists and cell phone use for novice drivers (age 16 to 17) with fines and punishments for those caught breaking these laws. Additionally, in 2009, Alabama passed a law (Move-Over Act) designed to protect law individuals who are conducting business on Alabama’s roadways.

    In addition to these laws, CAEC personnel take safety precautions to make drivers aware of their presence, including signs to warn motorists they are in the vicinity, such as cones around vehicles at the work site, rotating and flashing yellow lights and reflective traffic vests. If you approach a crew while traveling on a two-lane road, moving over to the next lane might not be an option. In this case, slow down when approaching roadside crews. If you approach a crew while traveling on a four-lane road, and safety and traffic conditions allow, you should move over into the far lane.

    Also, remember these tips whenever you’re behind the wheel:

    • Drive without reading or sending texts, email, using the internet or social media of any kind.
    • Wait to text or call others until they have stopped driving and stop texting or end a phone call with others if you learn they are driving.
    • Utilize Bluetooth technology to either conduct your phone calls or to send an auto reply text message to inform those texting you that you are driving and cannot respond.
    • If driving with a passenger, ask him or her to text or make calls for you.
    • When alone, turn your cell phone off before starting to drive.
    • Pull over to a safe location to eat or apply make-up—these can prove just as distracting as a cell phone.
    • If you are the passenger of a distracted driver, point out the danger of his/her action and offer to help with the task.

    There’s plenty of room for all. Let’s work together to keep everyone safe on our local roadways.

  • Storm Tech Savvy

    In our area, the month of April traditionally marks the beginning of the severe weather season with some of the most damaging storms and deadly tornadoes occurring during this time of year and running through the summer.

    Today’s technology gives meteorologists a new set of forecasting tools which allows them to predict potentially severe weather hours prior to or even days before it arrives. And while this technology has brought us even more ways to be prepared for and monitor severe weather, it’s still vital to have a plasurvival kitn, which includes knowing what to do in case these technologies aren’t available due to damaged communication towers, extended power outages and several other factors.

    The first step is having a disaster kit in the event you do not have access to food, water or electricity for a period of time. Even though it is unlikely that an emergency would cut off your food and water supplies for two weeks, consider maintaining a stockpile that will last that long. Also include a first aid kit, a supply of medications, a spare set of car keys and a copy of important documents such as insurance policies.

    In case of a power outage, flashlights and extra, preferably new, batteries are essential, but don’t forget a battery powered radio and a manual can opener. If you know bad weather is possible, charge and store portable chargers that can be used for cell phones and tablets. Portable chargers that operate with alkaline batteries are also available and would make a great addition to your disaster kit.

    Today’s technology makes communication easier than ever before— with phone, text, social media and location apps to help keep in touch with others during and after a disaster. But as many have experienced during events such as the April 2011 tornado outbreak that struck our state, these avenues can sometimes fail or be unavailable for extended periods of time. For this very reason, make sure you designate a family meeting place for shelter during and after a storm and have a pre-determined contact to serve as a communication point for all family members—preferably someone not in your immediate area that would not be impacted by a storm.

    It is also advisable to have a printed copy of important and emergency contact information in the event you do not have access to your phone, tablet or computer—which many of us rely on to store this information. It’s also a good practice to back-up your computer’s files onto an external drive and store it in a secure place or take advantage of cloud-based backup services for your data.

    Don’t forget useful apps that are also available. Weather tracking apps can keep you informed of severe weather no matter the time of day. Other apps are there to help with your storm preparation, such as those by the American Red Cross which give you instant access to first aid information, maps to opened Red Cross shelters and much more.

    Countless lives have been saved from dangerous weather through the use of technology, and just as it should be a part of your disaster preparedness plan, you should also have a back-up plan ready in case the technology we have come to rely on is not available.

  • The Importance of GFCIs In Your Home

    What’s the difference between AFCIs and GFCIs? As previously discussed in this safety article, AFCIs help prevent fire hazards caused by arcing faults in damaged or deteriorated wires and cords. But when it comes to electrical-shock hazards, that’s where GFCIs play an important role.

    According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), GFCIs have cut the number of home electrocutions by half. By detecting ground faults–an unintentional electric path between a source of current and a grounded surface; essentially, current leaking to the ground–a GFCI protects you from severe or fatal electric shocks.

    If you have ever experienced an electric shock, it probably happened because part of your body contacted an electrical current and provided a path for the current to go to ground. If your body provides the path, you could be seriously injured. For example, if a bare wire inside an appliance touches its metal case and that case is then charged with electricity, you would get shocked if you touched the appliance with one hand while another part of your body is touching a grounded metal object, such as a water faucet. If the appliance is plugged into an outlet protected by a GFCI, the power will be shut off before a shock can occur. A GFCI does this by constantly monitoring electricity moving through a circuit. If it detects a difference in the electrical current, the device quickly switches off power. They are typically installed around areas with water hazards such as bathrooms or kitchens and are also appropriate in outdoor spaces near pools, gardens and garages.

    According to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and the Electrical Safety Foundation International, a portable GFCI is easily installed with little effort at a low cost ($12-$30). Electricians however, should be consulted to guarantee proper installation. To determine if you already have GFCIs in your home, look at your outlets. The standard U.S. socket with three prong holes is 120-volts. The left vertical slot of an outlet is “neutral” and slightly larger than the right vertical slot, which is “hot.” The bottom circular hole is referred to as “ground.” A GFCI outlet can be identified by its test and reset button in the center.  When the reset button is pressed on, power can freely flow to the outlet. Pressing the test button disconnects or interrupts the current and shuts down the circuit to the outlet. The test button will automatically trigger when the GFCI detects that a decrease in current has shifted the flow of power out of balance.

    Having GFCIs in your home is an important way to keep you and your family safe when it comes to the dangers of electric shock.