Description: On a hot, summer day Stephen Wald, his two boys and their friend found themselves caught in a terrifying thunderstorm. They ended up only seconds away from being in an accident with an overhead power line brought down by the storm. They encourage you to check weather forecasts so...
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter prevents electrical shock by detecting variations in current. Install these in areas where water and electricity are in close proximity. Test outlets with GFCIs monthly; if they don't work properly, consult your electrician.
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter prevents electrical fires caused by arc flash. These are installed by an electrician. An arc is an electrical discharge that can cause intense heat or light. If interrupts the circuit when it detects an arc or other abnormalities in the flow of electricity.
Tamper Resistant Outlet prevents shocks caused by tampering with an outlet. The protective shutters are designed to move when a plug is correctly inserted. These became part of the National Electrical Code in 2008. If your home does not have these, install childproof devices.
It was Cody Conrady’s next-to-last day as an assistant manager for an ag fertilizer company. They were shorthanded that day, so Cody jumped in his truck to get ahead of the sprayer. Once the sprayer was in place, he hopped out of the truck to fill the tank with fertilizer. He and his coworker...
Most people know that working with high voltage power lines and electric equipment is dangerous work, but when they get in their own vehicle, they can forget. Add to that texting, applying makeup, reading the newspaper, or a number of other sorted distractions, and that can spell disaster – for...
On an April morning in 2016, Clint Shults was driving a school bus to take students to an FFA competition in Rangely, Colorado. The team’s horse judging coach, Silvia, followed the bus in her car. Heavy, wet snow had been accumulating, and the bus snagged a power line just as it was falling to...
Each year, accidents in which motorists hit power poles have the potential to bring live power lines to the ground. Tragically, many drivers and passengers who survive the impact are electrocuted when they attempt to leave the vehicle. Helping drivers understand the right actions to take can...
The Ritz family was stunned when their son Lucas was killed while swimming with his life jacket on and being closely supervised by his mother. The danger could not be seen but was silently lurking in the water. Electricity was leaking into the water from a boat plugged in to shore power....
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When Aaron and Brett Studer were young boys, they got into an electrical service box in their yard, and Aaron suffered second and third degree burns to his face. Fortunately, there were no permanent scars. They want to help others stay safe. Recognize that these boxes contain electrical...
Shawn Miller was hanging Christmas lights at his mother’s house, like he did every year, when tragedy struck. As he was throwing a string of lights into a tree, it made contact with a power line. Shawn suffered 27 exit wounds, the loss of one hand, and a finger on another—but miraculously, he...
Tiffany Pagel and her sister Holly were climbing a tree near their home when the unimaginable happened. A power line was running through the tree the girls were climbing and 9-year-old Tiffany reached up and grabbed a hold of a power line. The family opens up to Safe Electricity in this...
Trees and power lines often find themselves mingling together causing safety concerns and requiring a utility’s attention. Oftentimes people aren’t happy about what has to happen next. From funny shaped trees to proper trimming techniques to picking out the right tree to plant around lines, this...
A small job had been added to the day’s directional boring work—after Tom Dickey’s safety gear had already been sent back to the shop. He made a decision in favor of time and efficiency instead of safety to go ahead and dig a 40-foot section of conduit. This decision almost cost him his life. As...