Electricity is very important in our everyday lives. Electricity helps make living and working easy and safe, every day.
Electricity, when used properly, is a safe and convenient form of energy, but when used improperly, electricity can cause fires, shocks, injuries, and even death.
Playing it Safe Around Electricity.
Electricity is a safe, convenient form of energy we use to prepare our meals, heat and cool our homes, keep our homes neat and clean, and for lighting security and entertainment. Electricity helps make living and working easy and safe, every day.
But, electricity is also very powerful and can be dangerous if used improperly. It can cause fires, shocks, injuries, and even death. Electricity travels at the speed of light - 186,000 miles per second. If you come into contact with an electrical current, there is no warning, and there is no time to react.
It does not take much electricity to cause injury. Electricity always tries to find the easiest path to ground. It travels through conductors. Good conductors are water with particulate, metal (like copper wire), and people. The human body is a good conductor of electricity because it is composed of 70% water and connective matter. The amount of electricity used by one 7.5-watt Christmas tree bulb can kill you. Even if it isn't fatal, electrical shock can easily cause serious falls, burns or internal bleeding.
Respect the Power
Stay away from any downed line and call CU immediately - even if you are not sure if it is an electric, telephone or cable line.
Respect any electric emergency scene and treat it as any other emergency scene. Please keep your distance and let the crew work without disturbing them.
Stay away from electric construction sites.
Stay away from electric substations. (If a frisbee or ball goes over the fence of a substation, call CU for assistance.)
Keep any electric device away from sinks, tubs or showers.
Do not overload circuits.
Minimize the use of extension cords and be aware of the extension cord rating.
Never place combustibles such as paper, drapes or furniture near space heaters, stoves, toasters or other heat producing appliances.
Keep electrical cords untangled, out of the way, and away from heat producing appliances.
Never insert metal objects into an appliance or outlet.
Do not let small children play with cords or wall outlets. Install plastic outlet covers to avoid potential danger.
Never break off the ground probe on a three-prong plug. Follow instructions when using adapters for older two-prong outlets.
Outdoors
Fly kites and model airplanes in a wide-open field or park - never near electrical wires or on a stormy day. Never attempt to remove a kite from electric power lines.
Do not play on or dig around transformers.
Be aware of electric lines at all times, especially when moving ladders, cleaning gutters or doing any work on the roof (hanging holiday lights or installing a satellite dish). Be sure not to use metal measuring tapes on the roof around overhead electric service.
Never climb electric poles or towers.
Only use extension cords rated for outdoor use for outdoor projects.
Decorative ponds can create a shock hazard. Be sure the electrical wiring is professionally installed and properly wired.
811 - Call Before You Dig. Be sure to use this free service to mark your utilities before attempting any digging project.
Trees
Be sure to look for electric lines in trees before you climb or build a tree house.
Be aware of electric lines before trimming trees. If unsure of safety, call CU before you begin.
Plant the right tree in the right place. Be aware of electric lines before planting trees. Check the size of the mature tree before planting under or around electric lines. For more information, call City Utilities at (417)863-9000.
In Your Vehicle
If your vehicle is touching a power line and you cannot safely drive away, stay inside and wait for rescue workers. Warn others to stay away from the vehicle. If you must get out because of fire or other danger, jump out without touching the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Shuffle away with very small steps. Do not try to help others out of the vehicle - you could be shocked.
