Electrical Safety from Brookings Municipal Utilities (BMU)

Brookings Municipal Utilities Safety Information

Indoor Safety

Replace blown fuses or bad breakers with the correct size. If you do not know the correct size to use, check with an electrician.
Each lamp in your house is designed to have a certain wattage bulb. If you install a 100- watt bulb in a lamp designed for a 75-watt bulb, it could overheat and cause a fire.
Bathroom outlets should have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI's). GFCI's can help prevent electrocution. If you don't have them you should contact an electrician about having them installed.
Cords and plugs should be checked for cracking or fraying. Never cut the third prong of a three-prong plug to make it fit in a two-prong outlet. Call an electrician and have your outlets updated.
Missing or broken wall plates should be replaced and child protection covers installed when children are present.
Water and electricity do not mix. Avoid using appliances when the possibility of contact with water exists.
Space heaters should be placed at least 3 to 4 feet from flammable materials such as curtains, rugs, furniture and other combustible material.

Outdoor Safety

Before doing any digging in your yard, please call your utility to check for buried electric lines. Contact with these lines can be very dangerous.
Never put a ladder or antenna in a position where it can come in contact with a power line.
Teach your children never to climb utility poles, fences around substations or trees near overhead power lines.
Outdoor outlets need Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. These GFCI's can save your life by interrupting the flow of power if there is a problem.
Never fly kites where they can come in contact with power lines, If they do come in contact, stay away from the string and call the Power Company for assistance.
Stay away from downed power lines. If someone comes in contact with a power line, do not try to rescue the person, as you may become a victim too. Call the Power Company for assistance.
Do not plant trees under power lines. The trees may some day come in contact with the lines.