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July 8, 2008 |
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Teach your kids!?! ......
One of the greatest pastimes for kids of all ages is flying kites during the spring.
While we want kids of all ages to enjoy this sport, we also want them to be careful not to get their kites tangled in power lines.
Every year in this country, children are electrocuted when their kite string comes in contact with a power line. Kite string can become a good conductor of electricity merely by becoming dirty or wet. Electricity can travel down the string as if it were a copper or aluminum wire.
Electricity is always trying to find the shortest path to the ground. It is not picky as to what path it uses. If that path is a kite string with a child at one end, it doesn't care. It will follow that path until it is broken.
We cannot emphasize enough the danger involved with flying kites near power lines. Instruct your children not to fly kites close to any power line. If a kite or kite string does come in contact with a power line, immediately turn loose of the string. A person's life is more valuable than any kite.
If the kite or string becomes tangle in the power line, don't try to get it loose, Call SIEA, and our line crews will be glad to come and extricate it from the line.
Kites and power lines just don't mix.
When it comes to
power, it's important to mind your Ps and Qs and all the other letters
of alphabet. So, since it's back-to-school time, we thought it would be a great
time to go over those ABC's of electric safety.
e
ppliance
cords:
Appliance cords should be out of the way of foot traffic. Also, they should
not be under furniture legs or rugs.
eware:
Beware of places that have "Danger: High Voltage" signs and other warnings
on them.
lean:
Remember to keep the workshop clean and dry. Sparks from power tools can
ignite wood scraps, sawdust and solvents.
owned
power lines:
If you see a power line that has fallen to the ground, stay away from it.
Call your electric cooperative right away.
xtension
cords:
Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis and not as permanent
household wiring.
rayed
wires:
These wires are dangerous. If you notice any in your home, they should be
repaired or replaced by a professional at once.
round
Fault Circuit Interrupters:
CFCIs shut off power in time to prevent serious shock. GFCIs should be tested
monthly.
it
the ground:
Although you should seek shelter if you're caught outside in a lightning
storm, if there's no place in sight, hit the ground. Drop to your knees
and bend forward with your hands on your knees. Don't lie flat on the ground.
nsulators:
Don't shoot or throw anything at electrical insulators.
ump:
If a car you're in hits a power line, stay inside the car unless it catches
fire. If it does, jump clear of the car without touching the metal and the
ground at the same time. Shuffle away, keeping both feet on the ground.
ites:
Never fly kites near overhead power lines.
adders:
Make sure ladders, antennas and other tall metal objects don't come in contact
with electric lines.
etal:
Metal conducts electricity. Therefore, metal objects should not be inserted
into an appliance without first disconnecting the appliance.
ine-one-one
(911):
If your community has 911 services, call it immediately if you come across
someone who has been shocked or if there is an electrical fire.
verload:
Avoid overloading outlets, and never force a plug into an outlet if it doesn't
fit.
lugs:
Don't pull plugs from electrical outlets by the cord. Use the gripping area
provided on the plugs. Yanking or tugging on the cord can damage its wire
and insulation and could lead to an electrical shock or fire.
uickly:
Act quickly if you see someone who has been shocked. Don't touch the person
if he is still in contact with the power source. Unplug the equipment first,
then call 911 or the emergency number.
espect:
Respect the power of electricity.
wimming
pool:
If it's storming outside, it's no time to be swimming. Get out of the pool.
rees:
Don't climb trees if they are near power lines.
nplug:
Unplug small electrical appliances and toys when you're not using them.
andalism:
Vandalizing power lines or equipment can knock out power to homes and businesses,
and it can kill or injure you.
ater:
Water and electricity don't mix. Don't leave appliances plugged in where
they might come in contact with water. If a plugged-in appliance falls into
water, never reach in to pull it out, even if it's turned off. Unplug it
first.
tinguishers:
Make sure your home is equipped with a class C fire extinguisher and smoke
detectors.
oungsters:
Keep an eye out for young kids. Use protective covers on unused outlets withing
a toddler's reach.
ap:
You don't want to get zapped! That's why it's important to play it safe
around electricity.
San
Isabel Electric Association, Inc.
893 E. Enterprise Drive
Pueblo West, Colorado 81007
(719) 547-2160
1-800-279-7432
© 2007 San
Isabel Electric
All Rights Reserved.
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