Blue Ridge Electric Promotes Year Round Safety

For Immediate Release

Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Corporate Communications, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager:1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener

LENOIR, N.C., (May 13, 2003) – This spring’s blooming trees and flowers cannot erase the memory of one of the most bitter winters in many years here in North Carolina. The ice storms we suffered during 2002 caused extensive power outages across the state, and safety was an important issue for those looking for alternative energy sources, said Ronnie Jewell, safety and environmental manager for Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation.

During those paralyzing ice storms, eight people from one rest home were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning after an electric generator was placed near a door that opened and closed often, letting carbon monoxide enter the building.

At least 147 carbon monoxide poisonings cases were reported just in the Triangle area of the state. Across North Carolina, hundreds of people, sometimes whole families, were treated for headache, nausea and confusion caused by inhaling this poisonous gas. The culprit was often a gas or charcoal grill that was brought indoors and used as a heat source while the electricity was being restored.

Portable generators can be helpful during outages due to hurricanes or winter storms but can also be deadly if used improperly, warned Jewell, who provides the following safety tips to remember when using a portable generator:

Never use a generator indoors.
Have a qualified, licensed electrician properly size, install and connect the generator to your home’s electrical system.
Also have a qualified, licensed electrician install a transfer switch. This is the best way to protect you, your neighbors and our repair crews from backfeed. Backfeed occurs when an improperly connected generator begins feeding electricity back into the power lines. Backfeed can seriously injure, or even kill.
Before using the generator, make sure you read and understand the instructions.
Operate generator in a clean, dry, well-ventilated area. Never operate a generator in rain, wet, ice or flooded conditions.
Never exceed the rated capacity of your generator.
Turn engine off and allow it to cool before adding fuel.

Generator safety is only one electrical safety issue about which consumers should be educated, Jewell added. “When dealing with electricity or in rare instances a lack of electricity, education and information is key to keeping you and your loved ones safe,” he emphasized. Each year hundreds of people die and thousands are injured in electricity related accidents. An understanding of the basics can make all the difference to the health and well being of you and your family -- everyday and in times of crisis. Jewell provides the following general tips for using electricity safely throughout the year, season by season:

Spring:

When bringing your maintenance and power tools, such as electric sanders, saws, drills and trimming equipment, out of winter storage be sure to follow the safety guidelines printed in the operators manuals.
Be careful of overhead power lines when carrying ladders around your home.
Call the North Carolina One Call Center at 1-800-632-4949 or your local electric cooperative to find the locations of any buried power lines before you do any digging.
Remind your children not to play around neighbor-hood utility equipment such as substations and transformers.
Keep your outdoor electrical outlets weather protected with outlet covers.
Keep electrical products away from sinks, puddles, pools, ponds and hot tubs.

Summer:

Be sure to turn off and lock all electrical tools when not in use or when carrying from one location to another.
Outdoor electric tools should never be left unattended, even temporarily. If there is a key, remove it.
Electric tools should never be repaired by anyone who is not authorized by the manufacturer or trained to repair the particular product.
Outdoor extension cords come in 25 to 150 foot lengths. Buy only the length you need. Cords longer than 100 feet can lose power – a hazard when using power tools.
Make sure window air conditioners do not allow air to sneak through or around sides, top and bottom, putting an extra strain on systems and added costs for homeowners.
Never use electrically powered tools in the rain or wet conditions.

Fall:

Use only a fiberglass ladder if you must work near overhead lines.
If a ladder starts to fall into an overhead line, get away and do not touch the ladder or the power line. Stay nearby while someone else calls the power company to cut off power before you touch or move the ladder.
If you use an electric blanket to keep warm at night, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and be sure to cut it off and unplug it when not in use.
When using a portable electric heater, keep flammable materials – bedding, clothing, draperies, rugs and furniture – at least three feet away even if it has safety features such as cut-off switches or heating element guards.

Winter:

Have your heating systems inspected by a qualified professional at least once a year.
Use products only for their intended purpose. Hair dryers are not intended to thaw frozen pipes, dry clothing or warm bedding.
During the holiday season, keep fresh or artificial Christmas trees a safe distance away from all sources of heat.
It is important to turn off all electrical light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
Don’t overload extension cords or allow them to run through water or snow on the ground.