Safety is Our Priority
We are committed to protecting our employees, members, and communities by promoting safe work practices, maintaining reliable infrastructure, and providing education on electrical safety. By prioritizing safety, we ensure the well-being of those we serve while delivering dependable and efficient power.
Fayette Electric Cooperative is dedicated to providing safe, reliable electric power at a competitive price while also supporting the communities we serve. We offer various safety programs to promote electric safety, one of which includes arcing demonstrations. For more information, please contact Tracy Denton at 979-968-3181 or tracya@fayette.coop.
Downed Power Lines
Accidents, severe storms and other disasters can cause power lines to come down. With one wrong move before, during or after a disaster, a life can be lost. Know the right steps to take to keep you and your family safe:
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If you see downed power lines or other damaged electrical equipment, notify the local electric utility as soon as possible because the lines could still be energized or “live.”
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Just because power lines are damaged does not mean they are dead. Stay away and instruct others to do the same.
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Power lines do not have to be arcing or sparking to be live and dangerous.
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Downed power lines, stray wires, and debris in contact with them all have the potential to deliver a fatal shock. Stay clear of fallen power lines and damaged areas that could hide a hazard. Be alert during clean-up efforts.
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Treat all power lines as if they are energized until there is certainty that power has been disconnected.
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If a power line has landed on the ground, there is the potential for the area nearby to be energized. Stay far away and warn others to do the same.
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Do not attempt to drive over a downed power line.
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If you are driving and come along a downed power line, stay away and warn others to stay away. Contact emergency personnel or your utility company to address the downed power line.
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If power lines should fall on your vehicle while you are driving, do not attempt to drive away or get out. Call for help and stay inside until utility crews say it is safe to get out. The only exception would be if fire or other danger, like the smell of gasoline, is present. In that case, the proper action is to jump — not step — with both feet hitting the ground at the same time. Jump clear. Do not allow any part of your body to touch the vehicle and ground at the same time. Hop to safety, keeping both feet together as you leave the area.
Any power line that is dead could become energized at any moment due to power restoration or backup generators.
Portable generators are a godsend during a prolonged electrical outage. Fayette Electric urges its Members to exercise caution when operating portable generators.
Avoid ‘Backfeeding’
- Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, a dangerous practice known as “backfeeding.” It sends power from your house back through electric lines. Safely connecting a generator to your house wiring requires the help of a professional elec- trician. Backfeeding could ruin appliances, cause a fire, or even injure a co-op employee who might be working on nearby lines. If you must connect the generator to the house wiring, have a qualified electrician install a double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) transfer switch.
- Plug appliances directly into the generator, or use a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cord that is rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads. Check that the entire cord is free of cuts or tears and that the plug has all three prongs. Never remove the grounding pin.
- Keep the generator dry and do not use in rainy or wet conditions. Operate it on a dry surface under an open, canopy-like structure. Make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator.
- For power outages, permanently installed stationary generators are better suited for providing backup power to the home.
Danger from Carbon Monoxide Gas
Never use a generator in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. Generators can produce high levels of carbon monoxide gas (CO) very quickly, which you cannot smell or see. Even if you can’t smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed to CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air right away. The CO from generators can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and/or death.
If you use a portable generator you should install CO alarms, test them frequently, and replace dead batteries.
Essential Guidelines for Generator Safety
What to Know Before You Buy a Residential Generator
Generator Safety Tips
Electrical Safety Tips
- Having a safe home includes periodically checking appliance cords for damage.
- Electrical cords, plugs and connectors should be disposed of as soon as you notice damage.
- Prevent any potential accidents or fires by getting rid of appliances with cracked or frayed electrical cords.
- If your small appliance has seen its better days, do not use it. Instead, remove the cord and discard or recycle it.
- If an item that’s plugged into an outlet drops into the water, don’t pull the plug or reach in to get it. Instead, turn off the power at the main breaker panel.
- Test ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in your kitchen and the rest of the house once a month to make sure they are working properly. They can protect you and your family from shocks, fire and burns.
- The most common causes of electrical fires are:
Incorrectly installed wiring.
Overloaded circuits.
Defective plugs, switches and outlets.
Misuse or poor maintenance of lighting. - Avoid overloading extension cords, power strips or outlets.
- Keep products with line cords away from sinks, puddles, pools, ponds and hot tubs.
- Never remove the third prong from a 3-prong plug. Dispose of electrical items and extension cords with damaged prongs.
- Read instruction manuals. Use goggles or other safety aides. Never bypass a safety device.
- Match product power needs to extension cord label information and make sure they are rated appropriately for outdoor use.
- Store outdoor electrical products indoors.
- Use only weather-resistant products outdoors.
- Keep off and away from pad-mounted transformers. If you notice the cabinet doors or locks have been tampered with or left open, contact us immediately at 979-968-3181.
- Locate overhead power lines before flying kites, or house painting, and keep ladders away.