Blue Ridge Electric Raises Awareness of Safety
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, N.C., (May 4, 2007) – According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, each year, more than 400 people die as a result of improperly using electrically charged devices. Thousands of others are injured, and the misuse of these devices also causes an annual average of 140,000 house fires, resulting in more deaths and injuries.
To help reduce electric safety casualties and injuries, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, including Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, are observing May as “North Carolina’s Electric Safety Month.” Throughout the month of May, the state’s electric cooperatives will offer a variety of electric safety information to educate people of all ages about the dangers of electricity.
“Proclaiming May as North Carolina Electrical Safety month has given the electric cooperatives the unique opportunity to focus on electrical safety in North Carolina,” said Renee Whitener, director of public relations for Blue Ridge Electric. “May is a perfect time to reacquaint ourselves with safety basics, such as reading safety instructions on electrical appliances and products, paying attention to safety markings on electrical equipment and checking power cords to see if they are in safe condition to use in our home, offices and outdoor areas.”
The hope of Blue Ridge Electric and other electric cooperatives is that North Carolina Electrical Safety Month will help raise awareness of electrical safety in the home, school, and workplace and teach the public not to take electricity for granted.
North Carolina’s electric cooperatives provide energy to 2.5 million people in 93 of 100 counties, primarily in rural parts of the state. The electric cooperatives own and maintain 95,000 miles of power lines, by far the most of any electric utility in North Carolina. Blue Ridge Electric serves some 70,000 member owners in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Alexander, Wilkes and Avery counties.
For more safety tips, visit the Energy Tips area of www.BlueRidgeEMC.com.
