Practice electrical safety during spring storm season

03/08/10

Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, lightning, high winds and storms kill and injure many people every year. Economic losses from these events can amount to billions of dollars in losses. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) urges consumers to become more knowledgeable about electrical safety during and after weather disasters.

"After severe weather is gone, electrical hazards can still cause deaths and injuries," noted Brett Brenner, ESFI president. ESFI warns consumers to beware of electrical dangers associated with downed power lines, portable electric generators and electrical wiring or appliances that have been wet. These precautions can help keep you and your family safe from electrical hazards during and after disasters:

• Take care when stepping into flooded areas-whether indoors or out. Submerged outlets, electrical cords and downed power lines can energize water, posing a lethal trap.

• Stay away from downed power lines and anything touching them.

• If you see someone who is in contact with a downed power line, do not touch the person. You could become the next victim. Instead, call 911.

• Do not drive over downed power lines.

• If you get a portable electric generator, have it installed by a licensed electrician to ensure it meets local electrical codes and is properly grounded.

• Keep the generator dry and do not operate it in enclosed or partially enclosed areas. Generators can produce high levels of deadly carbon monoxide very quickly; consider using a carbon monoxide detector.

• Do not overload the generator and carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions.

• Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to help prevent electrocutions.

• Do not use electrical wiring or equipment that has been wet. A qualified service repair dealer should recondition electrical equipment; a licensed electrician can inspect electrical systems.

• To avoid lightning strikes, go indoors during electrical storms and stay away from windows.

• If outdoors during electrical storms, move to a low point. Stay away from metal items, including sports equipment, buildings, clotheslines, poles and fences. Avoid trees.

• During electrical storms, do not use corded telephones except for emergencies.

• Avoid contact with water and plumbing during electrical storms.

• Don't forget pets during thunderstorms. Doghouses are not safe from lightning. Chained animals can easily become victims of lightning.

Visit EMEPA at www.emepa.com, ESFI at www.electrical-safety.org or call your local EMEPA office for more on electrical safety.

Volunteer Fire Department Donations Exceed $480,000

03/08/10

Seeing the flashing lights and hearing the sirens of a fire truck speeding by, we stop and give thanks that it’s not our home, our neighborhood, and we also give thanks to our community volunteer fire departments who every day risk life and limb to make us all safer.

Through the generosity of EMEPA members, more than 1,000 volunteer firefighters, who make up the rural volunteer fire departments in East Mississippi, received $58,412 in 2009 to buy equipment they need to protect our communities. EMEPA members have donated more than $480,000 since the program’s inception in 1998.

The safety of our members is of foremost importance to EMEPA. Every dollar can make a difference to the well being of our community. By donating to your local volunteer fire department through your monthly EMEPA bill, you are supporting these brave men and women who voluntarily risk their lives to save others.

The service provided by volunteer fire departments is priceless. When a fire or emergency situation arises, time is of the essence. Volunteer fire departments provide the reaction time necessary to stifle a burning home, rescue victims and salvage valuables from the burning building.

Volunteer firefighters get no personal gain for the heroic work they do. Their greatest reward is knowing they are helping their neighbors. They are an essential part of our lives, unpaid and at the same time unwavering in their dedication

We ask that you pledge only $1 or more a month to help your local volunteer fire departments augment their budgets to maintain equipment and technology. Giving is so easy. Simply make your tax deductible donation as part of your payment on your monthly EMEPA power bill. Every dollar donated will be directly forwarded to the volunteer fire department of your choice. Remember to give a little to those who give so much.

Call your local EMEPA office to start giving today.

East Mississippi Electric Power Association News

Practice electrical safety during spring storm season

Volunteer Fire Department Donations Exceed $480,000