Indoor/Outdoor Electrical Safety

Many electrocutions and home fires can be prevented simply by understanding basic electrical safety principles and adhering to safe practices.

Whether you are a homeowner or a renter,electrical safety should be a top priority in your home. Awareness of electrical hazards is the key to reducing the staggering number of electrically-related home fires, injuries and deaths that occur every year.

Indoor Electric Safety

Electrical Appliance Safety

Never use any electric appliance, such as a shaver or hair dryer, in the tub or shower. Make sure your hands are dry when using an electric appliance.
Use appliances with the Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) symbol.
Never place appliance cords where they can come into contact with heat or moisture, under rugs or heavy furniture.
Avoid overloading outlets with too many appliances; use other outlets in the room. Do not stick any object other than an electrical plug or child proof cover into an outlet.
Unplug appliances before cleaning or repairing.
Never pull an electrical plug by the cord.

If an Electrical Fire Occurs

Dial 911 and inform the dispatcher it’s an electrical fire.
Never put water on an electrical fire. Use your home fire extinguisher.
Regularly hold family fire drills and establish a meeting place away from the fire.
Install smoke alarms in strategic locations. Check batteries and test at least twice a year.
Place fire extinguishers on every floor with instructions.

Electrical Accidents

Never touch someone in contact with a power source. Unplug or turn off the power.
Call for medical assistance immediately.
Do not touch skin that has been burned. Run small burns under cold water.
If the victim is not breathing, perform CPR, cover them with a blanket, keep their head low and get immediate medical attention. Only practice CPR if you are certified.
- Call 911 or your local emergency number if the injured person experiences:
  • Severe burns
  • Confusion
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Muscle pain and contractions
  • Seizures
  • Loss of consciousness

Portable Space Heaters

Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you’re leaving a room or going to sleep, and don’t let pets or children play too close to a space heater.
Space heaters are only meant to provide supplemental heat and should never be used to warm bedding, cook food, dry clothing or thaw pipes.
Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas and test them once a month.
Never hang clothes or place furniture near an electric heater or hot plate.
Keep electric heaters on a level nonflammable surface.
Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet.
Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire.
Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater.

Outdoor Electrical Safety

Electrical Tools

When using an electrical lawn mower or hedge trimmer, keep the cord behind you.
Keep children away from the area where you are using electric yard tools.Eliminate the possibility of
them tripping or moving the cord resulting in an avoidable accident.
Always unplug electrical equipment if there is an obstruction. Free the obstruction after the power has been disconnected.
Keep electrical tools unplugged when maintaining and repairing.
Ensure your tools are in good condition. Regularly inspect and maintain them, especially the grounding connections.
Read the manufacturer’s operating instructions for specific electrical precautions.
Protect outdoor electrical outlets with weatherproof covers.

Call Before You Dig

Digging can be dangerous due to potential underground wiring or cables. There could also be other underground utilities such as natural gas, water and sewer lines.
Call OUPS at (800) 362-2764 or 811 before you dig. They will notify South Central Power and other utilities about underground facilities. This service is free and should be used at least 2 working days before you start digging.

Planting That Tree in the Right Place

Visit South Central Power’s vegetation management section on their website to learn how to keep power lines free of vegetation.

Electricity and Water

Always protect outdoor electrical outlets with weatherproof covers and GFCIs.
Keep electrical devices and cords at least 10 feet away from water sources, such as pools and spas.
Never operate electrical equipment in the rain or on a wet surface.
Never enter a flooded basement to turn off electricity or for any other reason. First call your local fire department.

Swimming Pool Safety

All outdoor receptacles should be covered to keep them dry. This is especially import ant around pools, spas and other summer water activities.
Ground all electrical equipment for your swimming pool properly. Install a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI).If a fault occurs in the equipment, the interrupter will instantly cut the power, preventing a serious
electric shock.
Get your pool inspected by your town or city’s electrical inspector after installation.
Do not use any plug-in appliances near the pool.
Do not install a pool under electric wires.

Ladder Safety

Keep ladders at least 10 feet away from power lines.
Keep all parts of your body and anything you are holding at least 10 feet from the power lines. This is known as the“10-foot rule.”
Be cautious when carrying your ladder, especially around power lines.Never carry it upright. Be sure to carry it in a horizontal position.
Be sure that the ladder could not make contact with power lines if it falls from its upright position. Securely plant the ladder before climbing.
Be extra careful not to make contact with power lines when working with long objects like pipes, conduits, and gutters on a ladder. Be very careful not to hold or place them where they could accidentally fall on power lines. Remember the “10-foot rule.”

Powerline Safety

Report any encountered fallen power line to the police department and South Central Power by calling 911 and (800) 282-5064.
Stay away from downed wires and anything or anyone touching them. If a wire is touching your vehicle, wait for help.If the wire is touching your vehicle, wait for help. If you absolutely must get out, jump clear – don’t touch the ground and the vehicle at the same time. Shuffle, don’t run away.
Never fly kites, balloons, or other toys near power lines.
Never climb power poles.

Additional Safety Reminders

Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when leaving a room or going to sleep.
Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas.
Regularly check and maintain your home electrical system.
In case of an electrical fire, call 911 and inform the dispatcher that it’s an electrical fire. Never use water on an electrical fire. Instead, use a home fire extinguisher.
Use GFCIs with every power tool to protect against electric shocks.

Visit the “Just for Kids” section on our website for more information about educating your child about the dangers of misusing electricity and electrical devices.