7 Campus Safety Tips

Electrical power is an integral part of the modern farm operation and Jump River Electric Cooperative is proud to provide that dependable electric power that you rely upon. Jump River Electric also provides information about recent research, new technology and appropriate safety requirements as they apply to the farm operation. The following resources are aimed at assisting you with this goal.

The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NESC) offers farm training and education and many safety tips. Find out more at http://www.nsc.org/necas/

Line Clearance for Grain Bins
The National Electric Safety Code defines utility line clearance requirements.

Farm Safety for Kids: Farms are fun places - with all that fresh air, sunshine, and room to run around. But they're also places where real work gets done. And some of that work involves equipment that can be dangerous if someone doesn't know how to be safe.

Kids who live on farms really need to know what it takes to be safe. They probably help out on the farm and need to know the safety rules that can prevent injuries. According to the National Safety Council, farming is one of America's most hazardous jobs. Kids ages 10 to 14 are at high risk for injury, often because they take on a job or task that they aren't ready to handle.

Here is a website you might want to check out regarding kids and farm safety:   https://www.progressiveag.org/

Before you purchase a Generator, view this Quick Guide to Generators or Video.

PORTABLE GENERATORS

Portable electric generators can be very helpful to members during outages, but we urge you to follow the safety guidelines below to insure your portable generator is connected in the safest manner.

What to do before using a generator.

View Safety Tip Video

Portable Generator Safety Guidelines listed below: 

Never connect a generator directly to your home's wiring unless your home has been wired for generator use. This can cause backfeeding along power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including lineworkers making repairs.

Ensure your generator is properly grounded.

Set up and run your generator in a well-ventilated area outside the home. Make sure it's out and away from your garage, doors, windows, and vents. The carbon monoxide generated is deadly.

Never overload a generator. A portable generator should only be used when necessary to power essential equipment or appliances.

Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting it down.

Keep the generator dry. Operate it on a dry surface under an open structure.

Always have a fully charged fire extinguisher nearby.

Never fuel a generator while it is operating.

Read and adhere to the manufacturer's instructions for safe operation. Never cut corners when it comes to safety.

We encourage you to protect the well-being and safety of your family during outages, and safeguard those who come to your aid during emergency situations.

A portion of the following article was presented in the February issue of the Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News. Find the full article on what you need to know about Portable Power Stations below.

Portable Power Stations For Power Outages

Electric space heaters can help warm a room quickly. However, they can be as dangerous as convenient if used improperly. Safe Electricity urges everyone in the home to understand the importance of using space heaters safely:

• Purchase only space heaters that have been safety tested and UL approved. Make sure the unit has an emergency tip-over shut-off feature and heating element guards. Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for operation and care.
• Before using a space heater, make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working condition.
• Make sure the heater is clean and in good condition.
• Place the heater out of high-traffic areas and on a level, hard, non-flammable floor surface—NOT on carpets, furniture, or countertops.
• Space heaters have one purpose —to provide supplemental heating. Never use them to thaw pipes, cook food, or dry clothing or towels.
• Remember to keep space heaters at least three feet from combustible liquids, like fuel, spray cans, and paint, and flammable items such as draperies, blankets, and sofas.
• Never allow pets or children near an electric heater. Accidental contact could cause serious shock or burns.
• Do not overload circuits. Never use extension cords or multiple plugs with a space heater and make sure not to plug the unit into the same circuit as other electric appliances.
• If your space heater is plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and it trips, don’t assume there is something wrong with the GFCI. Immediately stop using the heater until a professional can check it— if not, a serious shock could occur.
• Never leave space heaters unattended. Turn off your space heater and unplug it before leaving the room or going to bed.
• Replace older space heaters with newer, safer models.

Many people also use electric blankets to keep warm during cold winter nights. Before plugging in electric blankets, check for any damage and inspect cord for frays, cracks, or cuts. Do not tuck electric blankets under the mattress and place nothing on top of the blanket while it’s in use, including comforters and bedspreads. Don’t allow pets to sleep on the electric blanket.

Before and After the Storm

Severe storms are more common in the spring and summer, but they can occur any time of year. Be prepared for storms and know how to stay safe.

Before the storm:

• Assemble a kit of essentials, like water, battery-operated flashlights, and radios. Keep a list of emergency phone numbers, including the electric utility. Be prepared for the possibility of a prolonged outage due to power line and electric equipment damage. Storm Preparedness Checklilst

• If severe weather is on its way, pay attention to local weather reports and recommendations. A tornado or severe storm watch means conditions are favorable for those weather conditions forming. A warning means dangerous weather conditions are developing and imminent.

• Lightning can travel up to ten miles away from a storm, so seek shelter when you hear thunder.

• Consider installing ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) or purchasing a portable GFCI. GFCIs detect dangerous electrical situations and cut off power before a person can be shocked. These dangerous electrical situations are likely to occur around water, so GFCIs should be installed in bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, basements, outdoors and anywhere else water and electricity may meet

• If power goes out, switch off lights, large electronics and appliances to prevent overloading circuits and damaging appliances when power is restored. Leave one lamp or switch on as a signal for when your power returns.

After the storm:

• When venturing outside, stay away from downed power lines and be alert to the possibility that tree limbs or debris may hide an electrical hazard. Assume any dangling wires you encounter are energized and dangerous. Warn others to stay away and contact the electric utility.

• If you are driving and come upon a downed power line, stay in your vehicle, warn others to stay away, and contact emergency personnel or electric utility. Also, when driving, be careful at intersections where traffic lights may be out. Stop at all railroad crossings and treat road intersections with traffic signals as a four-way stop before proceeding with caution.

• Before re-entering storm-damaged buildings or rooms, be sure all electric and gas services are turned off. Never attempt to turn off power at the breaker box if you must stand in water to do so. If you can’t reach your breaker box safely, call your electric utility to shut off power at the meter.

• Never step into a flooded basement or other area if water is covering electrical outlets, appliances, or cords. Be alert to any electrical equipment that could be energized and in contact with water. Never touch electrical appliances, cords, or wires while you are wet or standing in water.

• Do not use water-damaged electric items until a qualified electrician has inspected them and ensured they are safe.

• When using a portable generator, follow all manufacturers’ recommendations. Keep the generator dry and never plug it into a wall outlet or directly into the home’s wiring. This could inadvertently energize the utility lines and injure yourself or others working to restore power.

• A permanent standby generator should be professionally installed and include a transfer switch to prevent electricity from leaving your generator and going into power lines where it can kill line workers.

Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.  Follow these steps to ensure that you and your family are prepared if a disaster were to hit your neighborhood.

1) Have a plan, 2) Build an emergency kid with items listed below, and 3) Teach Youth About Preparedness. 

Find more about electric safety on this site, at safeelectricity.org, or watch this video for more tips.  Source: ready.gov.