ESFI Warns of Electrical Hazards Caused By Severe Winter Weather

Department:	Public
Type:	News
Arlington, VA - Winter storm warnings have been issued from New Mexico to North Carolina in response to a major winter storm that continues to unfold across the southern United States. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) has issued important safety tips to help protect communities against electrical hazards caused by winter weather disasters. Earlier today, state emergency officials in Oklahoma estimated more than 140,000 homes and businesses remain without power after ice accumulation on trees and power lines caused widespread outages on Thursday. “Electrical dangers created by downed power lines, portable generators, and submerged electrical equipment can cause electrical fires and accidents even after severe weather has subsided,” cautions ESFI president, Brett Brenner. ESFI recommends taking the following electrical safety precautions during winter weather disasters: Downed Power Lines Always assume fallen power lines are energized. Stay at least ten feet away from a downed power line and any nearby objects it may be touching, such as a fence or a tree limb. Contact your utility company immediately to report downed power lines outside your home. Never touch a person who is in contact with a downed power line. Call 911 immediately. Never attempt to move a downed power line with another object. Even non-conductive materials like wood or cloth that are slightly wet can conduct electricity. Portable Generators Portable generators can be used as a source of power if power goes out during a storm and causes electrical outages. Do not operate a portable generator in your home, basement, or garage. Generators can very quickly produce high levels of carbon monoxide, which can be deadly. Make sure that there is at least one working carbon monoxide detector in your home. Test the batteries at least twice a year, at the same time smoke detector batteries are tested. Post-Disaster Safety After a storm, return home during daylight hours, especially if power has not been restored. If you smell gas, notify emergency authorities immediately. Do not turn on lights, light matches, or engage in any activity that could create a spark. Use caution when restoring disrupted power after a storm. Contact your utility company to report any damage to your electrical service. ESFI is a 501(c) (3) organization dedicated exclusively to preventing electrical fires, accidents, and fatalities in the home and the workplace. To learn more about ESFI and electrical safety visit www.electrical-safety.org.