Tips To Keep You & Your Family Safe
There are many simple things you can do to stay safe around electricity, whether you're at home, at work or on the farm.
Use Caution Around Power Lines
Always be aware of your surroundings. If you see downed power lines, please contact your local Touchstone Energy® Cooperative and remain at a safe distance of at least 30 feet until the area has been cleared by authorities.
Never touch anything or anyone that has been in contact with a power line to reduce your risk of serious injury or death.
If your vehicle comes in contact with a power line, call 911 immediately and remain in the vehicle until instructed to leave by emergency personnel. Keep others from approaching the vehicle and instruct them to stay at least 30 feet away.
Safeguard Your Home In Case Of Severe Weather
Severe weather — including thunderstorms, blizzards, tornadoes, heavy rain and more — may present electrical hazards that can threaten your safety. Here are a few actionable ways you can safeguard your home before and during a storm:
Install surge protectors to safeguard electronics.
Unplug sensitive electronic devices (e.g., computers, TVs, etc.) to prevent damage from power surges.
Don't use corded telephones or plug-in handheld electronics during a lightning storm.
Report any power outages to your local electric co-op; do not attempt to restore power on your own.
Never enter a flooded room/space where electrical equipment or outlets are either submerged or wet.
If you are using a generator due to a power outage, always turn off your home's main breaker and do not plug the generator directly into a wall outlet.
This can cause dangerous backfeed that may result in serious injury or death for electrical workers. Use a transfer switch or hire a licensed electrician to install your generator safely. Your generator should be used outside and away from your home; always use an outdoor-rated extension cord.
Make An Emergency Plan
We strongly recommend making an emergency plan for your household in case of severe weather. Even with accurate forecasting models, you can never fully predict how storms and other weather events might impact access to power in your region.
Assemble an emergency kit with the following items and keep it accessible in your home:
Emergency Contact Numbers
Blankets
Bottled Water
Battery-Powered Flashlights
Battery-Powered Radio
Non-Perishable Food
Portable Battery-Powered Phone Charger
It's also helpful to make a plan to conduct wellness checks on neighbors and family members who are older adults or individuals with disabilities during severe weather events.
Contact your local Touchstone Energy® Cooperative whenever electrical safety is in question during severe weather.
This may include power surges due to lightning, submerged electrical outlets during flooding and downed power lines.