Home Electrical Safety During Disasters
The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) warns consumers to be aware of electrical dangers associated with severe storms and the resulting floods and power outages. Deaths and injuries during the summer months are frequently caused by post-storm electrical hazards.
The high winds, extreme rains and flooding caused by hurricanes and tornadoes present many unique dangers. ESFI offers consumers important advice about how to help prevent electrically-related deaths, injuries and property loss by taking a few precautions during and after severe storms and other natural disasters.
Flood Electrical Safety: High Water, High Stakes
Flooding can occur anywhere, but water and electricity don’t mix. Because electrical hazards may linger after flood waters recede, it’s important to take precautions before, during, and after flooding takes place.
Know the Danger
- On average, more deaths occur due to flooding each year than from any other severe weather related hazard.
- In the past 5 years all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods
- A car can easily be carried away by just two feet of floodwater
- Nearly half of all flood fatalities occur in vehicles
- Those living outside of mapped “high-risk” flood areas file nearly 25% of all flood insurance claims and receive 1/3rd of Federal Disaster Assistance aid
- From 2003 to 2012, total flood insurance claims averaged nearly $4 billion per year
- An area’s risk of flood can change over time due to new construction, changes in levee classification, or other environmental factors
Reduce the Risk
- Follow any directives to turn off utilities. If you’re advised to switch off the main power source to your home, flip each breaker and THEN turn off the main breaker. You may also need to shut off the main valve for your home’s gas and water
- DO NOT go near any downed power lines especially if there is standing water nearby
- If your home experienced flooding, keep the power off until an electrician has inspected your system for safety
- Have an electrician inspect electrical appliances that have been wet, and do not turn on or plug in appliances unless an electrician tells you it is safe
- A trained professional may be able to recondition some devices while others will require replacement
- Do not touch a circuit breaker or replace a fuse with wet hands or while standing on a wet surface Reminder: ESFI recommends portable generators be installed by qualified electricians. When not used properly you could be at risk for shocks, fires, or dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
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Portable Generators Electrical Safety
Before use, learn about the potential dangers associated with portable generators, such as their production of carbon monoxide (CO). CO is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless poisonous gas that is called the “silent killer” because it is virtually undetectable without the use of technology like CO alarms. Follow these tips to generate power AND safety when using a generator
By The Numbers:
- African Americans accounted for 23% of fatalities, which is nearly DOUBLE their proportion of the U.S. population
- Storms account for many of the fatalities associated with generator use, with ICE/SNOW storms accounting for 46%. Hurricanes accounted for 29%
- 67% for the fatalities occurred when a generator was placed in the living area or BASEMENT of the home
- 26% of fatalities occurred when a generator was used inside an attached GARAGE or shed
- Between 1992 and 2012 nearly 80% of the 931 CO deaths were associated with generators
- 50% of generator related deaths occurred during November – February
- 30% occurred during March – April & September – October
- 20% occurred during other months
Tips for the Proper Installation and use of Generators:
- NEVER operate a generator INSIDE your home or in other enclosed or partially-enclosed spaces, including GARAGES
- A generator is a TEMPORARY power source and should never be used as a permanent solution
- NEVER connect generators directly to household wiring without first installing a TRANSFER SWITCH. This prevents backfeeding which could electrocute utility workers making repairs
- Make sure your generator is properly grounded and used with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
- Use only extension cords that have a THREE-PRONGED plug and are rated for the intended load
- Your home generator should be installed by a QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN and bear the mark of a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL, Intertek, or CSA
- Install battery-operated CO ALARMS or plug-in CO alarms with a battery backup install the home
- Do NOT OVERLOAD the generator
- The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends generators be positioned at least 20 FEET from doors, windows, and vents to prevent CO from entering the home
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Don't Shock the Neighborhood
Don't operate your generator without a transfer switch
Transfer switches isolate utility power and generator power to prevent backfeeding, which can be deadly. Backfeed can follow wires and harm those nearby, including utility workers making repairs. Transfer switches also protect the home from electrical fires caused by short circuits and improper connections. Transfer switches should only be installed by a qualified electrician.
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Hurricane Electrical Safety - Eyeing the Storm
The Atlantic hurricane season is June to November, with the peak season from mid-August to late October. On average there are 6 hurricanes, three which are categorized as “major,” each year. History provides important examples of the potentially dangerous impact hurricanes can have and the need to be prepared.
- The deadliest hurricane in U.S. history, referred to as the “Great Galveston Hurricane,” struck Texas in 1900 and resulted in an estimated 11,000 deaths.
- Since 1851, the top three states for hurricane landfalls are Florida (114), Texas (63), and Louisiana (54), according to data from the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory in Miami.
- Hurricane Sandy caused 8.5 million power outages across 21 states, the highest outage total ever.
- 23 days after Hurricane Katrina local utilities had power restored to only three-quarters of their customers.
ESFI offers these safety tips to help you:
Prepare
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Weather
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Recover
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| Unplug your appliances and power cords from outlets to protect them from power surges |
Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass
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If flood waters reached the level of electrical outlets, contact a licensed electrician before attempting to use electricity in the home |
| If you plan to use a portable generator, ESFI recommends a licensed electrician install it to ensure it will operate safely |
Use flashlights as a source of light. Candles are a fire hazard |
Prior to use, have a qualified service repair dealer determine what electrical equipment should be replaced and what can be reconditioned |
| Test your home’s carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms to ensure they’re functioning |
Never operate a generator inside your home or in other enclosed or partially enclosed spaces, including garage |
Never touch a fallen power line or drive through standing water if a downed power line is nearby. Report downed power lines to local authorities |
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Use a battery operated radio to stay informed about important safety update |
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Lightning Electrical Safety
In the first quarter of 2017 alone, thunderstorms caused a record $5.7 billion in losses, and lightning kills and average of 30 people a year. Learn how to keep you, your family, and property safe from lightning.
Lightning is Deadly
- An average of 22,600 fires were caused by lightning between 2007 and 2011
- According to Aon Benfield's Impact Forecasting, insured losses from lightning strikes are at an all-time high.
- 30 people die a year from lightning strikes according to the National Weather Service
- According to the Lighting Protection Institute, the top 5 states most often struck by lighting are:
- Florida: 25.3 strikes per square mile
- Louisiana: 20.3 strikes per square mile
- Mississippi: 18.0 strikes per square mile
- Alabama 15.9 strikes per square mile
- South Carolina and Oklahoma (tied): 14.6 strikes per square mile
Lightning is Far Reaching
- 1/3 of all lightning related injuries occur indoors. Stay away from:
- Corded phones
- Electronics
- Plumbing
- Lightning can strike 10 miles from a thunderstorm
- Lightning can strike anywhere, not just the tallest objects
Lightning Protection
- Power surges caused by lightning can damage the electronics in your home
- Lightning protection systems intercept lightning strikes and provide grounding path for dangerous electricity to discharge safely, leaving occupants and homes safe from harm
- Panel box surge protective devices (SPDs) serve as the first line of defence against harmful home electrical surges, limiting voltages by diverting currents at the electrical service entrance. Only qualified electricians should install SPDs
- Point of use surge protectors protect electronics plugged into the device from surges, must be replaced over time or after a major surge event
- Power strips do not provide surge protection
- No surge device can handle a direct lightning strike. Unplug sensitive electronics well before a storm to prevent damage
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Downed Power Line Electrical Safety - Downed and Dangerous
Downed power lines can be deadly. ALWAYS assume a downed power line is live and avoid going near it or anything in contact with it.
Use Precaution
- Downed power lines can energize the ground up to 35 feet away
- If you see a downed power line, immediately notify local authorities
- Never drive over downed power lines or through water that is in contact with them
- Never try to move a downed power line. Even using items that typically are not conductive will not prevent injury or death
Know What to Do
- The safe way to move away from a downed power line is to shuffle away with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times
- If your car comes in contact with a downed power line while you are inside, stay in the car. Do not touch any part of the car’s frame or any other metal. Use a cell phone or honk your horn to summon help. Allow only rescue personnel to approach the car
- If your car is in contact with a downed power line and you must exit due to fire or another imminent threat:
- Do not touch your vehicle and the ground at the same time with any part of your body or clothing
- Open the door to your vehicle without touching the metal door frame
- Jump out of the vehicle with both feet together and so both feet land at the same time
- Shuffle away so that the toe of one foot shuffles forward along the length of the other foot, ensuring that both feet are in constant contact and always touching the ground
- If someone comes in contact with a downed power line or something else that has become electrified, call 911 immediately
- Never touch someone who has come in contact with a power line. They are energized and pose a danger to anyone who comes in contact with them
- Remember power lines don’t have to fall in order to be dangerous. Always call 811 before you dig and keep yourself and your equipment at least 10 feet from overhead power lines.
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Tornado Electrical Safety
To be prepared for a tornado, it is critical to be familiar with tornado warning signs. Although tornadoes vary greatly in their appearance and provide little or no warning, the following signs can indicate that a tornado could be imminent.
- A dark, often greenish sky.
- A wall cloud, particularly if it is rotating.
- Large hail. Although not always, storms that produce tornadoes frequently produce large hail as well.
- A loud roar, similar to the sound of a freight train.
- Tornadoes may occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm and be quite visible. They may also be embedded in rain and not be visible at all.
- Stay tuned to local radio and TV stations or a National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio for further weather information.
- Watch the weather and be prepared to take shelter immediately if conditions worsen.
- Designate an area in your home as a shelter, and practice having everyone in the family go there in response to a tornado threat.
- Make sure everyone understands the siren warning system, or whatever warning system occurs in your area.
- Mark where your first-aid kit and fire extinguishers are located.
During a Tornado:
Just as you don’t always know when a disaster will strike, you won’t know where you will be when a disaster will strike. Follow these safety tips which include:
- If you're in a building structure such as a home , school, office, hospital or other public building:
- Seek shelter in a windowless, interior room; storm cellar; basement; or lowest level of the building.
- If you are in a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
- Stay away from glass, both in windows and doors.
- Crouch down, and make as small a “target” as possible.
- Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a bench or heavy table or desk
- Use arms to protect head and neck.
- In a vehicle, trailer, or mobile home
- Get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter.
- If you are in a car, and you can see a tornado forming or approaching, you should leave the car and take shelter as above. A tornado can blow a car off a road, pick a car up and hurl it, or tumble a car over and over.
- Outside with No Shelter
- If caught in the open, seek a safe place immediately. The chances of encountering falling trees, power lines, and lightning is more likely than encountering the tornado itself.
- Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
- Do not get under an overpass or bridge.
- Never try to outrun a tornado.
- Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.
After a Tornado:
- Continue to monitor your battery-powered radio or television for emergency information.
- Be careful when entering any structure that has been damaged.
- Stay out of any building if you smell gas.
- Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves and gloves when handling or walking on or near debris.
- Be aware of hazards from exposed nails and broken glass.
- Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines. Report electrical hazards to the police and the utility company. Refer to ESFI's Downed Power Line Safety Tips
- Use battery-powered lanterns, if possible, rather than candles to light homes without electrical power.
- Never use generators or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, basement, garage or camper - or even outside near an open window, door or vent. Carbon monoxide (CO) - an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if you breathe it - from these sources can build up in your home, garage or camper and poison the people and animals inside. Refer ESFI’s Portable Generator Safety Tips
- Cooperate fully with public safety officials.
- Respond to requests for volunteer assistance by police, fire fighters, emergency management and relief organizations, but do not go into damaged areas unless assistance has been requested. Your presence could hamper relief efforts and you could endanger yourself.
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Winter Storm Electrical Safety
With the severe weather characteristic of winter comes the threat of electrical hazards caused by downed power lines, power outages, and coastal flooding.
ESFI is cautioning the public that electrical dangers associated with downed power lines, portable generators, and submerged electrical equipment can still cause injuries and deaths once a snow or ice storm has ended. Further, danger can also arise from the use of supplemental heating sources such as space heaters.
ESFI recommends taking the following electrical safety precautions during winter storms:
Downed Power Lines
- Always assume fallen power lines are energized. Stay at least 10 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 or object that is in direct or indirect contact with a downed power line. Instead, call 911 immediately.
- Never attempt to move a downed power line – leave it to the professionals.
Portable Generators
- 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.
- Be sure that the generator is used with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to help prevent electrocutions and electrical shock injuries.
- Do not connect generators directly to the household wiring without an appropriate transfer switch installed. Power from generators connected directly to household wiring can backfeed along power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including utility lineworkers making repairs.
- 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.
Space Heaters
- Make sure your space heater has the label showing that it is listed by a recognized testing laboratory.
- Before using any space heater, read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels carefully.
- Inspect heaters for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections before each use. If frayed, worn or damaged, do not use the heater
- 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.
- Proper placement of space heaters is critical. Heaters must be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including papers, clothing and rugs.
- Locate space heaters out of high traffic areas and doorways where they may pose a tripping hazard.
- 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.
- Place space heaters on level, flat surfaces. Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture, or carpet, which can overheat and start a fire.
- Always unplug and safely store the heater when it is not in use.
Post-Disaster Flood 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.
- Electrical items such as circuit breakers, fuses, GFCIs, receptacles, plugs and switches can malfunction when water and silt get inside. Discard them when they have been submerged.
- Do not use electrical appliances that have been exposed to water. Water can damage the internal components in electrical appliances and can cause shock and fire hazards in furnaces, refrigerators, washing machines and dryers.
- Have an electrician inspect electrical appliances that have been wet, and do not turn on or plug in appliances unless an electrician tells you it is safe. Electrical equipment exposed to water can be extremely dangerous if reenergized without proper reconditioning or replacement.
- If electrical appliances have been under water, have them dried out and reconditioned by a qualified service repairman.
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