Outdoor Safety

Here are some quick tips on how you and your family can work and play safely around electricity.

• Always look up before raising ladders or other long objects outdoors.
• Keep ladders and scaffolds as far as possible from power lines.
• Use wood or fiberglass ladders if you must work near electric wires. Never use an aluminum or metal ladder near electric lines. But remember, even wood and fiberglass should never come in contact with power lines.
• Remember to look up before planting new trees or trimming existing ones.
• Pay attention to the signs on the substation fencing; they mark the danger zone for you.
• Make sure your antenna has lightning protection.
• Stay clear of overhead power lines when moving irrigation pipes, augers, grain elevators, tall machinery, etc.
• Have electrical circuits, wiring, and equipment inspected by a licensed electrician.
• Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) when working outdoors.
• Ensure that sprinklers don't spray water near overhead lines.
• Check your outdoor receptacles - do the outlets have their own waterproof covers?
• If your pet gets stranded on a utility pole, never climb up to rescue it; call the Co-op, and they will send someone to rescue your pet.
• Remember that power runs underground as well as overhead. Call 1-800-DIG-TESS ((800) 344-8377) before you dig when landscaping your front or back yard.
• Always wear shoes when using a lawn mower and outdoor power tools. Be sure to work on dry grass only, and never use electric tools in rain or on wet surfaces.
• Check for frayed or damaged cords on power tools. Discard or replace any with damaged cords or cracked housing.

It's always a good idea to check the capacity of the circuits at your service panel. Fuses and breakers are marked with their capacity. Household circuits are typically rated at 15, 20, 30, and 50 amperes. Never replace these devices with ones of higher capacity without having a qualified electrician inspect the work.

Wiring should provide plenty of grounded outlets (protected by a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) on circuits of the right size for the tools or appliances you use.

A sure-fire way to overload a circuit is to use several tools or appliances whose combined wattage totals more than the circuit capacity, at the same time.

If the circuit isn't interrupted by a fuse or circuit breaker, the wires might eventually overheat and cause a fire.

Electric tools and appliances can be a hazard if used improperly. When considering the purchase of a tool or appliance, take a moment to consider where it will be used and under what conditions, and always keep these tips in mind while using tools and appliances:

• The amperage rating of tool or appliance is the amount of current it draws. A tool with a higher amperage rating may not be the most efficient or best choice, since there's no guarantee that a motor will efficiently convert that current into real, work-producing power.
• Don't use any electric tool or appliance in the rain, or on wet surfaces, or while standing in water. Never place an electrical appliance where it could fall into water. Keep radios and other devices well away from tubs, sinks, and swimming pools. Make sure your hands are dry when you use any electric tool or appliance. If you have to touch an appliance that's standing in water, disconnect the power at the service panel first.
• Be sure tools and appliances are plugged in to outlets equipped with ground fault circuit interruptions (GFCIs).
• If an appliance gives off sparks, immediately unplug the device without touching its body. If sparks come from the cord, plug, or wall outlet, shut off the power at the service panel.
• Plug in portable appliances only when you intend to use them. Disconnect them and store them away when not in use.
• Use appliances that have a seal of approval from a major testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• Make sure there's proper ventilation around TVs and VCRs; restricted airflow can cause them to overheat.
• Make sure all electric tools have 3-pronged plugs or are double insulated. Never use a tool with a 3-prong grounding plug with an extension cord that only accommodates 2 prongs, or use a 3-prong adapter plug with a 2-prong outlet.
• Never use indoor appliances outside.
• Make sure tools are properly maintained. Repair or replace worn or defective equipment immediately. Always unplug the tool or appliance you're using before making any adjustments or repairs.
• Never use flammable liquids (gasoline, solvents, etc.) around electric tools.
• Dress appropriately when using electric tools and equipment. Be sure to never wear clothing or jewelry that could become tangled.

First and foremost, don't plant trees, shrubs, or bushes under or near electric lines.

Tiny trees turn into big trees whose branches can touch electric lines. Trees easily conduct electricity, putting tree-climbing, kite-flying children at risk of injury.

When planting trees or shrubs, keep in mind the shape and the size the species will reach at maturity. Select sites that are far enough from rights-of-way to ensure future growth will not interfere with power lines. Below is a diagram showing suggested planting distances for small, medium, and large trees.

Here is a list of some of the trees native to East Texas categorized by height classification.

Small: dogwood, redbud, yaupon, crepe myrtle, and various fruit and ornamental trees.

Medium: eastern red cedar, American holly, sassafras, Arizona ash, white ash, catalpa, common persimmon, boxelder, red maple, silver maple, silver poplar, and mimosa.

Large: pecan, hackberry, green ash, black walnut, sweetgum, tulip poplar, southern magnolia, slash pine, loblolly pine, longleaf pine, shortleaf pine, sycamore, water oak, pin oak, red oak, live oak, weeping willow, and American elm.

It's also important to contact Sam Houston EC before you attempt to cut or trim trees near power lines.

And last but not least, before you dig the hole to plant a tree or shrub, call 1-800-DIG-TESS ((800) 344-8377). Any Sam Houston EC member can call to be sure they don’t hit a buried power line