Knowledgeable people reduce the risk of accidents. Through the use of a Safety Demonstration Trailer and video tapes, we can make a presentation to your group on how to play it safe around outdoor power lines and equipment. This does require advance scheduling of several months so that we may get the trailer to our site. We generally have it in Corvallis in the spring. Please contact us about scheduling a safety demonstration . 

Some Electrical Safety Tips

About Power Lines:

• Ravalli Electric Co-op power lines are either 7,200 or 14,400 volts.  In either case accidental contact can be fatal.
• When working outside, look up. Never use machinery or ladders underneath power lines without at least ten feet of clearance.
• Use extreme caution on rooftops. Watch for overhead power lines and take care to stay away from power lines when working with antennas, ladders, or other objects.
• Do not allow children to play on utility poles, guy wires, or underground transformer cabinets.
• Never allow children to climb trees in proximity to overhead power lines.
• Avoid driving a car underneath low hanging power lines or over downed power lines. Should your car come in contact with power lines, stay in the vehicle until emergency or utility personnel arrive and tell you it is safe. If the vehicle is on fire or otherwise to dangerous to stay inside, exit the vehicle by standing on the door-frame and jumping clear, taking care not to jump into low hanging power lines. Then hop away with both feet together.
• Before beginning any excavation, have all utility services located by calling “Call Before You Dig.”
• Do not plant trees underneath power lines or over buried underground power lines.

In the Home:

• Make sure receptacles in your bathrooms and kitchens are Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt (GFCI). These specialized receptacles protect you from short circuits when using small appliances.
• Never overload receptacles or extension cords above their rated capacity.
• Electrical cords should be free of cuts or fraying and equipped with the original grounding prong.
• Use caution not to exceed the rated wattage of light fixtures and take care not to expose bare bulbs to flammable objects
• Do not place any electrical appliance near water, such as a sink or bathtub. Appliances that are used near water should be unplugged when not in use. If you have an appliance that has gotten wet, unplug it and don’t use it until it had been checked by a qualified repairperson.