Safety

Home Safety Tips

Indoor Safety

• Don’t use electrical appliances around wet areas like bathtubs or sinks.
• Dry your hands before using electrical appliances.
• Keep electric heaters on level surfaces and 6-8 feet from furniture, curtains and drapes.

Wires/Fuses/Outlets

• Use childproof covers for outlets.
• Only insert electrical plugs into outlets.
• Inspect electrical/extension cords for wear and tear.
• Flickering lights, unusual smells and power interruptions could be signs that there is a problem – check all appliances and panels.
• The third prong on extension cords is a safety feature designed to reduce the risk of electrocution or shock and should never be bent back or removed.

Home Generators

• Improperly installed emergency power generators can expose your family to carbon monoxide poisoning and our crews to severe injury – or even death.
• 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 line workers making repairs. Have a licensed electrician install the equipment necessary to safely connect emergency generators to your home.
• Operate generators outdoors and away from open windows, vents or doors to eliminate exposure to hazardous fumes.
• Store gasoline and other flammable liquids outside and away from heat and electrical sources.
• Never refuel while the generator is running. To minimize the danger of fire, turn it off and let it cool at least 10 minutes.
• Install carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup in the home, outside each sleeping area.

Transformers

• Although transformer boxes located in the yards of many homes are safe, they can be deadly if someone reaches inside. If you find a transformer box open or damaged, call Linn County REC immediately at 319-377-1587.
• Never climb on or near transformer boxes.
• When planting trees or shrubs, maintain 10 feet of clearance from the front of the transformer and one to three feet on all other sides to allow Cobb EMC access. Maintaining clearance also keeps roots from interfering with underground lines running to the transformer. Please refer to the sticker located on the transformer for clearance guidelines.

Landscaping

• Know what’s below by calling 8-1-1 before you dig, so you don’t make contact with underground lines or transformers. Contact with lines can mean shock, injury or death.
• Look above for power lines and be mindful when using ladders, pool skimmers and other tall objects.
• Stay at least 10 feet from power lines connected to or near your home.
• Never trim trees or bushes near power lines. We have professionals to safely and expertly handle this task.
• Do not use indoor extension cords while performing outdoor work. Only use those rated for outside use.
• Do not use electric equipment or yard tools if it is raining or the ground is wet. Electric equipment should be kept at least 10 feet from wet areas.
• Ensure that your outdoor outlets are equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters. If they are not, have them installed or use a portable GFCI.

Heating

• Have a licensed, qualified heating technician maintain your furnace or heating system.
• Change heating system filters to keep air passing through.
• Replace batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.

Source: Safe Electricity

Electric & Powerline Safety Tips

Electrical Fire Prevention

• Install ground fault circuit interrupters in areas near water, including bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements and outdoors.
• Arc fault circuit interrupters should be installed directly in the breaker box to protect against fires caused by arcing faults in home electrical wiring.
• Check the electrical outlets in your home for loose-fitting plugs, broken wall plates and missing or frayed wiring.
• Do not overload outlets with appliances and adapters.
• Cords that are frayed, cracked or broken should be discarded. Avoid running cords under rugs or heavily traveled areas in the home.
• Remember that extension cords are intended for temporary use and should not act as permanent power supplies.
• Avoid using light bulbs that exceed the recommended wattage.
• If an appliance appears to be damaged or broken, or has repeatedly blown a fuse, unplug it and have it repaired or replaced.
• Light switches that feel hot or spark should be immediately turned off and inspected by a qualified electrician.

Source: Safe Electricity

Power Line Safety

• Never climb into trees where power lines run through the limbs.
• Stay clear of overhead and exposed underground electrical lines at all times. Never attempt to repair lines yourself.
• Don't get near electrical lines when making home improvements such as roofing, painting or replacing siding. Contact us at 319-377-1587 if you need to perform any work around these lines.
• Trees conduct electricity; avoid contact with them if they are making contact with any part of the electrical distribution system. Call Linn County REC if you have trees touching lines and equipment at your home.
• Never attempt to remove kites, tree limbs or other objects from power lines. Contact us to ensure safe removal.

Storm Safety Tips

Before the storm

• Keep emergency numbers, including Linn County REC’s, available and always have a corded or cellular phone in your home. Cordless phones will not work during a power outage.
• Keep a battery operated flashlight, radio, clock, and extra batteries on hand.
• Know where your main breaker disconnect is.
• Unplug sensitive electrical equipment.

During the storm

• Report your outage to us by calling 319-377-1587 or toll free in Iowa at 1-800-332-5420. You can also report and check your service status through our SmartHub app.
• Unplug as many appliances as possible. This will prevent damage from a power surge that may occur during power restoration.
• If outside, don’t touch or drive over a power line. Always assume a downed line is energized.

After the storm

• If you have unplugged appliances, plug them back in one at a time once power has been restored.
• If you see a downed line or damaged utility equipment, contact us immediately. Make sure to keep people away. Always assume a downed line is dangerous, even if it’s not jumping or sparking.
• Do not attempt to assist utility crews. What may seem like help can actually hamper restoration and safety efforts.

Generators

• Improperly installed emergency power generators can expose your family to carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Never connect a generator directly to your home’s wiring. This can cause backfeeding along power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including lineworkers making repairs. Connecting the generator to your home’s circuits or wiring must be done by a qualified, licensed electrician who will install a transfer switch to prevent backfeeding.
• Follow manufacturer instructions for generator inspections and maintenance.

Food Safety

If your home’s power is interrupted for two hours or less, losing perishable foods shouldn’t be a concern. When an outage is prolonged, it’s time to decide when to save and when to toss food away. Use these food safety tips to help you minimize food loss and reduce the risk of foodborne illness. And remember the American Red Cross food safety rule: “When in doubt, throw it out.”

• Throw away food that’s been exposed to temperatures above 40 degrees F for two hours or more.
• An unopened refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours; food in a full freezer stays safe for about 48 hours.
• Refrigerated Food Tips
• Frozen Food Tips

Holiday Safety Tips

• Use only holiday lights that have been safety tested and have the UL label.
• Check each light strand for broken sockets, frayed cords, or faulty plugs; and always be sure to unplug the lights when replacing a bulb.
• Don’t string together more than three standard-size sets of lights or you could risk overheating the circuit.
• Match plugs with outlets. Don’t force a three-pronged plug into a two-pronged outlet or extension cord, or remove the third prong.
• Always unplug lights before going to bed or leaving your home.
• Make sure extension cords are in good condition and are UL-approved cords rated to carry the electrical load you will connect to them.
• Also, place fresh-cut trees away from heat sources such as heat registers, fireplaces, radiators, and televisions; and water a fresh-cut tree frequently.

Harvest Safety Tips

• Use a spotter when operating large machinery near lines.
• Inspect the height of farm equipment to determine clearance.
• Look up and use care when moving any equipment such as extending augers or raising the bed of grain trucks around power lines.
• Always set extensions to the lowest setting when moving loads to prevent contact with overhead lines. Grain augers should always be positioned horizontally before being moved.
• Never attempt to move a power line out of the way or raise it for clearance.
• If the machinery you are operating does make contact with a power line, stay on the equipment. Immediately call 911, warn others to stay away, and wait for the utility crew to cut the power.
• Only on the rare occasion that the machinery catches fire should you leave the vehicle after contact is made. If this is the case, jump off the equipment with your feet together and without touching the ground and machinery at the same time. Then, still keeping your feet together, hop to safety as you leave the area. Never touch anything that is in contact with a power line.

Emergency Information

Never touch someone who has been electrocuted and is in contact with a power line. Call 911 immediately! Don't attempt to move the power line.

• To report an outage, downed power lines or trees on lines, call Linn County REC at 319-377-1587
• For general safety questions or concerns, email us.