Electrical Safety Tips

Take Time to Prepare for the Next Storm

Keep these safety tips in mind during severe thunderstorms:

  • Stay away from downed power lines—Keep everyone away and call the emergency number on your electric bill or 911.
  • If you are involved in a vehicle accident and a power line falls across your vehicle, stay put until help arrives. Your tires provide important insulation from the ground.
  • Keep an emergency kit handy—Be sure batteries, flashlights and battery-powered radios are accessible during storms, just in case the power goes out.
  • Don’t tempt fate…or lightning—Stay indoors or seek shelter during storms. According to the National Weather Service, lightning has been the second largest storm-related killer in the U.S. for the past 40 years, exceeded only by floods.
  • Don’t touch an object that is in contact with power lines—That includes tree limbs. Remember tree limbs can conduct electricity.
  • Watch the weather. If it’s rainy or windy, save the outdoor work until another day. Accidents are more likely to happen during stormy weather.
  • Protect electronic equipment and appliances by installing surge protectors. If you don’t have surge protection, unplug your television, computer and other sensitive equipment.
  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors shut. Food will stay six to nine hours in a refrigerator without spoiling. Frozen foods will keep about 24 hours.
  • Burn only wood or newspapers in your fireplace if it is a wood-burning fireplace.
  • If you choose to use a portable generator during a power outage, make sure the main circuit breaker in the electric service panel box is in the OFF position or, in older electric service panel boxes, that the main fuse block is removed. This is necessary to prevent your generator's electricity from going back into the power lines in the street and potentially endangering the lives of line crews and other emergency workers.

Lightning Can Be a Deadly Killer, Play it Safe

According to the National Weather Service, on average, 67 people are killed each year by lightning. In 2003, there were 44 deaths. That's more than the annual number of people killed by tornadoes or hurricanes. Many more are struck but survive. To stay safe when a storm approaches:

  • Keep an eye on the sky. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Find shelter immediately.
  • Find shelter in a building or car. Keep car windows closed.
  • Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Unplug appliances. Avoid using the telephone or other electrical appliances.
  • Avoid taking a bath or shower and turn off the air conditioner. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressor.

If caught outside:

  • If you’re caught in the woods, take shelter under shorter trees.
  • If you’re boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately.
  • Go to a low-lying, open place away from trees, poles or metal objects.
  • Squat low to the ground. Be a small target.

The National Weather Service and the American Red Cross have more information on how to protect yourself against lightning strikes.