First Aid For Electrical Shock & Burns

If someone is burned, don't panic. v Cool a burn by holding it under cold, running water. v Cover minor burns with a sterile bandage. v Don't use ointment, butter or ice. v If the victim is not breathing, apply mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Call 911 for help.  Get medical treatment as soon as possible. v If the victim is touching a power line, stay clear. Don't try to move the wire or the victim. Call 911 for help.

Outdoor Electrical Safety Tips

Before starting outdoor projects, call Miss Dig at 1-800-482-7171 to locate buried electrical lines, or call TEC at 1-800-327-0166 before pruning, trimming or cutting down trees that are near overhead electrical lines. v Never build a swimming pool or other structure under a power line. v Always keep ladders and antennas from overhead power lines. If you are installing an antenna, make sure there is plenty of space between it and overhead power lines - at least twice the length of the antenna so if it falls it will clear the overhead power lines. v Watch overhead when boating. Masts, fishing poles, or tall radio antennae could contact overhead wires. v When sky diving, ballooning, paragliding, hang-gliding or flying model airplanes - you should check first for transmission lines and overhead power lines.

When Live Wires Fall

If a power line hits your vehicle, stay inside unless the vehicle catches fire. If you must leave your vehicle, jump clear without touching metal and the ground at the same time. v Remember: electricity will use you if you come in contact with it. v If someone is touching a fallen power line, stay away. v Call 911 for emergency help. v Don't try to rescue the victim. Efforts to pull a shock victim away could make you a victim. v Stay clear until you are sure the power is shut off. v NOTE: Metal fences can become electrified when a live wire falls on them! DON'T TOUCH THEM!

What To Do In An Electrical Storm

NOTE: Lightning surges from the clouds to the ground along the best conductor around, which is usually the highest object.
DON'T BE THAT CONDUCTOR!

If you are outside in a storm, do this:
Seek shelter, preferably a house. Get in your vehicle. v On a golf course, get in your golf cart. v If in the open, seek low ground. Sit or lie down... it may be uncomfortable, but it may save your life.

Things not to do: On a golf course, don't continue to play, and never hold a metal club in your hand. v Don't swim. If you are in the water, get out! If you are in a boat, get to land! v Stay away from metal objects that are lightning conductors. v Don't stand under a tree. Instead of providing shelter, a wet tree can attract lightning. Never stand out in the open during a storm.