Blue Ridge Electric Issues Alert Regarding Fear Factor Episode: Substations Can Be Dangerous
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager:1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Lenoir, North Carolina (January 31, 2005) – Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation has issued a safety warning for area residents to stay away from substations and other power company facilities. The warning comes on the heels of the January 31st episode of “Couples Fear Factor” on NBC, in which one of the stunts is being promoted as having the contestants stand near an electric power substation and receive minor, “nuisance” shocks.
Substations and all electric system facilities are strictly off-limits for everyone except highly trained utility professionals due to the high voltage associated with substations. Warning signs posted on substations alert the public to the dangers of substations.
Episodes such as those appearing on Fear Factor are staged for television and shouldn’t be duplicated by consumers. Coming into contact with substations, power lines, or other sources of electric current can lead to injury or even death.
Blue Ridge Electric urges the public to avoid copying stunts such as that scheduled to appear on Fear Factor and to stay safely away from substations and other electric plant facilities.
Through this warning, Blue Ridge Electric desires to increase awareness among its members regarding electrical safety and the prevention of accidental electrocutions.
Blue Ridge Electric is a member-owned cooperative, serving some 27,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, and Alleghany counties as well as parts of Wilkes, Alexander and Avery counties.
