Safety

USE CAUTION WHEN TRIMMING TREES

Sprawling tree limbs look beautiful when in bloom, but what's hiding between those branches? If it's an electric line, call Cotton and have that tree trimmed.

When your tree touches-or comes close to touching-an overhead electric wire, four things can happen: Children climbing that tree can get shocked or killed; the branch can break from the weight of snow or ice and fall on the wire, causing a power outage; the wind can whip the limb into the line and break one or both; or a branch can merely brush against an energized wire and catch on fire.

Cotton Electric Cooperative employs workers who are trained to trim trees so their limbs are a safe distance from overhead power lines. Even if the tree looks beautiful when it's as high as the wires, it can cause a hazard for you and your neighbors and is likely to leave you without power again and again.

Utility workers urge homeowners to leave the trimming to professionals when branches are within 10 feet of a power line. They're trained to know which direction the pieces will fall-unlike the homeowner whose cut might land a branch on top of a live wire.

Some tips from Cotton Electric:

• Look up when planting trees. If you see an overhead line, don't plant a tree-even a small one-underneath.

• Ask your nursery how tall your baby tree will grow once it's mature. If it is expected to reach within 10 feet of the power lines, plant it somewhere else.

• Find out how sprawling the tree's branches will be at maturity. A tree planted 10 feet away from an electric line can still interfere with the wire if its branches spread.

• When trimming trees and shrubbery on your own, look up. Be careful not to let ladders or trimmers touch overhead wires.

• Don't plant anything within three feet of your electric meter. The device should be accessible to meter readers.

• If your electric lines are underground, be sure to call your rural electric cooperative before you do any digging.

When trimming trees and shrubbery on your own, look up. Be careful not to let ladders or trimmers touch overhead wires.


DO'S...

DO use extension cords only on a temporary basis.
DO put safety covers on unused receptacle outlets and extension cords.
DO unplug an appliance and call an electrician if the receptacle faceplate feels hot or if there is sparking, smoke or odor coming from the outlet, plug or appliance.
DO examine appliance and extension cords regularly for signs of wear and tear or damage to insulation.
DO unplug all non-essential electrical appliances when not in use.
DO test GFCI's monthly according to manufacturer's instructions to determine that they are working properly.
DO use extension cords that have been listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

DON'TS...

DON'T use extension cords as a permanent substitute for inadequate house wiring.
DON'T use extension cords that are worn or damaged and don't attach extension cords to the wall with nails or staples.
DON'T put extension cords under rugs where they might be walked on; don't rest anything on an extension cord.
DON'T overload cords with too many appliances.
DON'T touch any appliance that has emitted an electrical shock until the appliance has been unplugged.
DON'T place electrical appliances where they might come in contact with water. Never reach into water for a plugged-in appliance - unplug it first.
DON'T place an appliance cord where it might touch a hot surface.
DON'T leave any wiring exposed in outlets and switches. Use the correct size faceplate.
DON'T ignore switches or outlets that don't work. Obtain the help of a qualified licensed electrician.
DON'T let cords hang over countertops where children can pull down an appliance.

RESIDENTIAL SAFETY

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI's) can help prevent electrocution. They should be used in any area where water and electricity may come into contact. When a GFCI senses current leakage in an electrical circuit, it assumes a ground fault has occurred. It then interrupts power fast enough to help prevent serious injury from electrical shock. Test GFCI's regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions to make sure they are working properly.

Light Bulbs
Check the wattage of all bulbs in light fixtures to make sure they are the correct wattage for the size of the fixture. Replace bulbs that have higher wattage than recommended; if you don't know the correct wattage, check with the manufacturer of the fixture. Make sure bulbs are screwed in securely; loose bulbs may overheat.

Circuit Breakers/Fuses
Circuit breakers and fuses should be the correct size current rating for their circuit. If you do not know the correct size, have an electrician identify and label the size to be used. Always replace a fuse with the same size fuse.

Appliances
If an appliance repeatedly blows a fuse, trips a circuit breaker or if it has given you a shock, unplug it and have it repaired or replaced.

Entertainment/Computer Equipment
Check to see that the equipment is in good condition and working properly; look for cracks or damage in wiring, plugs and connectors. Use a surge protector bearing the seal of a nationally recognized certification agency.

Outdoor Safety
Electric-powered mowers and other tools should not be used in the rain, on wet grass or in wet conditions. Inspect power tools and electric lawn mowers before each use for frayed power cords, broken plugs and cracked or broken housings. If damaged, stop using it immediately. Repair or replace it. Always use an extension cord marked for outdoor use and rated for the power needs of your tools. Remember to unplug all portable power tools when not in use. Since metal ladders conduct electricity, watch out for overhead wires and power lines.

Outlets
Check for outlets that have loose fitting plugs, which can overheat and lead to fire. Replace any missing or broken wall plates. Make sure there are safety covers on all unused outlets that are accessible to children.

Cords
Make sure cords are in good condition - not frayed or cracked. Make sure they are placed out of traffic areas. Cords should never be nailed or stapled to the wall, baseboard or to another object. Do not place cords under carpets or rugs or rest any furniture on them.

Extension Cords
Check to see that the cords are not overloaded. Additionally, extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis; they are not intended as permanent household wiring. Make sure extension cords have safety closures to help prevent young children from shock hazards and mouth burn injuries.

Plugs
Make sure your plugs fit your outlets. Never remove the ground pin (the third prong) to make a three-prong plug fit a two-conductor outlet; this could lead to an electrical shock. NEVER FORCE A PLUG INTO AN OUTLET IF IT DOESN'T FIT. Plugs should fit securely into outlets. Avoid overloading outlets with too many appliances.

Lightning
During an electrical storm, do not use appliances (i.e. hairdryers, toasters and radios) or telephones (except in an emergency); do not take a bath or shower; keep batteries on hand for flashlights and radios in case of a power outage; and use surge protectors on electronic devices and appliances.

Receptacle Outlets
Do not use outlets or switches that are hot to the touch. Call a qualified or certified electrician.

Space Heaters
Space heaters are meant to supply supplemental heat. Keep space heaters at least 3 ft. away from any combustible materials such as bedding, clothing, draperies, furniture and rugs. Don't use in rooms where children are unsupervised and remember to turn off and unplug when not in use.

Halogen Floor Lamps
Halogen floor lamps operate at much higher temperatures than a standard incandescent light bulb. Never place a halogen floor lamp where it could come in contact with draperies, clothing or other combustible materials. Be sure to turn the lamp off whenever you leave the room for an extended period of time and never use torchiere lamps in children's bedrooms or playrooms. Metal guards are now available for all halogen torchiere lamps.

Water and Electricity Don't Mix

Don't leave plugged in appliances where they might come into contact with water. If a plugged-in appliance falls into water, NEVER reach in to pull it out - even if it's turned off. First turn off the power source at the panel board and then unplug the appliance. If you have an appliance that has gotten wet, don't use it until it has been checked by a qualified repair person.

WORKPLACE SAFETY

When planning and performing work on electrical systems and equipment, keep these principles in mind:

• Plan every job.
• Think about what could go wrong.
• Use the right tools for the job.
• Use procedures, drawings and other documents as tools to do the job.
• Isolate the equipment from energy sources.
• Identify the electrical shock and arc flash, as well as other hazards that may be present.
• Minimize the hazard by guarding or establishing approach limitations.
• Test every circuit and every conductor, every time before you touch.
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) as a last line of defense in case something goes wrong.
• Be sure you are properly trained and qualified for the job.

When Working On or Near Energized Equipment:

• Treat deenergized electrical equipment and conductors as energized until lockout/tagout, test and ground (where appropriate) procedures are implemented.
• Work electrical equipment and conductors deenergized unless your employer can demonstrate that deenergizing introduces additional or increased hazards or is unfeasible due to equipment design or operational limitations.
• Lockout/tagout, and ground (where appropriate) before working on equipment.
• Wear protective clothing and equipment, and use insulated tools in areas where there are possible electrical hazards.
• Deenergize and visibly guard (where possible) whenever contact with uninsulated overhead power lines is possible.
• Check and double check the safety regulations when a ladder or parts of any vehicle or mechanical equipment structure will be elevated near energized overhead power lines. Call your local electric utility for assistance. People standing on the ground may be particularly vulnerable to possible injury.

Cord Powered Equipment and Tools, Cords and Temporary Wiring

• Protect flexible cords and cables from physical damage.
• Keep slack in flexible cords to prevent tension on electrical terminals.
• Check cords for cut, broken or cracked insulation.
• Make sure the insulating qualities of a splice are equal to or greater than the original cord.
• Extension cords are for temporary use. Install permanent wiring when use is not temporary.

Equipment and Tool Grounding

• Verify that all three wire tools and equipment are grounded.
• Water, electrical equipment, and power cords do not mix! Use GFCI protection in wet or damp environments.
• Ground exposed parts of fixed equipment that could become energized.

Other Considerations

• Verify location of all buried or embedded electrical circuits before digging or cutting.
• Determine the reason that a fuse operated or circuit breaker tripped before replacing or resetting.
• Know where your overcurrent devices are (i.e. circuit breakers and fuses) so they can be easily and quickly reached in case of emergency.
• When replacing lamps and bulbs, verify replacement matches fixture requirements.
• Adapt this list of reminders to fit your working environment!
• Establish a written electrical safety program for implementing the above.

FARM SAFETY

Electricity is just as important on the farm as in the office today, but presents more potential hazards for the farmer or rancher than for the computer operator. Every year, serious accidents involving electricity occur on American farms. Most could be prevented with a few simple safety steps.

First, make sure that you, your family and your farm workers know the location of overhead power lines, and map out ways to avoid them when moving equipment. Make sure everyone understands that any contact with these lines creates a path to the ground for electricity and carries the potential for a serious, even fatal, accident.

Everyone should know the height of all your farm equipment and how high those power lines are to prevent accidental contact. A good rule of thumb is to stay at least 10 feet away from power lines.

Be extra-careful when moving irrigation pipes. Many electrical accidents on farms occur when irrigation pipes are accidentally raised into power lines. The combination can be deadly. Avoid moving large equipment alone. Have someone watch out for you as you drive equipment to ensure that you stay clear of the power lines.

These rules also apply to guy wires, which support power line poles. Damaging guy wires can weaken the poles and even cause them to topple, bringing live power lines down onto the ground and creating an extremely hazardous situation.