Electrical Safety Education

Think about these statistics:

One person is electrocuted in the home every 36 hours, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission data.
One person is electrocuted at the workplace every day, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration data.
An estimated 160,900 residential electrical fires claim more than 800 human lives, 7,660 injuries and $1.4 billion in personal property each year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission data.

Your electric cooperative hopes that its members are never among these statistics. Safety education is a top priority at the cooperative for members and its employees.

A hotline safety demonstration

"While a photo is worth a thousand words, an actual live demonstration is worth a million words," said the co-op's safety coordinator. "Our co-op has a tabletop electrical safety demonstration that we use for school classrooms, 4-H clubs or other organizations. We focus on farm and general electrical safety, but it can be adapted to fit almost any group."

Demonstrations may include showing what happens when:

a kite is flying near power lines
farm equipment contacts overhead power lines
equipment digs into underground power lines
a hot dog that simulates human flesh touches a power line
a tree branch hits power lines and a lot more

"Recently we participated in a farm safety day camp for kids," added the safety coordinator. "After a morning of rotating sessions, one youngster made our day when she said that our demonstration was the best. That's a great compliment, but the best compliment is if participants learn and use electrical safety in their daily lives."

In addition, the co-op offers other safety education communication tools:

electrical safety reminders in CAP Connections each month
safety education coloring books, brochures and other printed materials
"Caution look up" stickers for augers and other farm equipment that could contact overhead lines

Safety training and education continues with the cooperative's employees, especially the linemen.

If you are interested in a safety education demonstration, video tape or other information, call the cooperative. If possible, please give the co-op advance notice for scheduling the safety demonstration.