UDWI cares deeply about the safety of its members and employees. Electrical hazards often go unaddressed until it is too late, and precautions can be taken to minimize the risk in your home. Check out these safety tips, and visit SafeElectricity.org or www.esfi.org/ for helpful information on all things electrical safety.

If you encounter a downed power line, remember that the safest thing to do is move away and keep a distance of at least 35 feet. Next, always call either your local cooperative (such as UDWI REMC) or 911. Never approach the power line and follow these simple tips to stay safe: 

• Assume all downed lines are live and keep a safe distance away 
• NEVER attempt to move a downed power line 
• Don’t step in water near the downed power line
• NEVER drive over a downed power line
• If you have a vehicle accident involving a power line, stay in the vehicle until emergency assistance arrives unless there is imminent danger such as a fire 
• In the case of imminent danger, jump clear of the vehicle, landing with both feet on the ground at the same time.

Plant trees away from underground utilities to prevent roots from interfering with underground pipes, cables and wires. If you are planting on your property, remember that no trees should be planted within 25 feet of power lines.

• Small Trees: Small trees (under 25 feet tall) should be planted at 25 feet from power lines.
• Medium Trees: Medium trees (between 25 and 40 feet tall) should be planted at least 40 feet from power lines. 
• Large Trees: Large trees (trees taller than 40 feet) should be planted at least 60 feet away from power lines.

Tree Trimming Safety: 

• Always look for nearby power lines before cutting trees or tree limbs 
  • If a tree falls into a power line, contact UDWI REMC or 911
• If you have trees or vegetation growing into power lines, contact UDWI REMC to have a professional safely trim them. Never try to prune them yourself.
• If you are planning to plant trees or shrubbery on your property, make sure to follow the “Call Before You Dig” law (IC 8-1-26) to ensure that you do not interfere with underground utilities. Digging where underground utilities are located and/or too close to power lines can be very dangerous. Those who dig are required to contact Indiana 811 at least two (2) full working days before starting a project. This free service provides locations of underground power lines and other utilities.

Have you encountered the “big green boxes” around town? Those are pad-mounted transformers, and they contain large amounts of high-voltage electricity that serve many homes in the community. While these transformers are safe, they are not meant for touching, playing, or climbing. To ensure the safety of yourself and your children, follow these guidelines: 

• Keep 10 feet away from transformers
• Do not touch, climb, or play on the transformer 
• Keep shrubs, trees, and other structures at least 10 feet away 
• Never dig near a pad-mounted transformer due to underground power lines
  • Call 8-1-1 before you dig 
• Report a damaged, unlocked, or open transformer immediately

Electric meters should only be handled by professional electric crews, and these professionals are properly trained to connect and disconnect an electric meter while wearing protective gear. If you have any concerns about your electric meter, please contact UDWI REMC or your local electric provider immediately. 

• If you illegally access the backside of, tamper or pull your meter, you could incur serious injury or even death from electrocution, explosion or fire.

• Check the cords of the appliances in your home, as well as the plugs and connectors. Make sure they are not frayed, cracked or damaged, placed under rugs or carpets, resting on furniture, or in high traffic areas. Do not nail or staple cords to walls, floors, or any other objects.
• If an appliance repeatedly blows a fuse, trips a circuit breaker, or gives you an electrical shock, immediately unplug, repair, or replace it.
• Do not overload outlets. Only one heat-producing device should be plugged into an outlet at a time, and major appliances should be plugged straight into an outlet.
• Keep all electrical appliances and tools away from water. Keep appliances a safe distance from your sink and anything else that uses water.
• Inspect all appliances, electronics, and tools are frayed cords or broken plugs. Do not use anything with a damaged cord or plug.

Sources: Safe Electricity, Santee Cooper

Regardless of the season, severe weather can strike at any time, causing downed power lines due to thunderstorms, sleet, high winds, and more. As power outages can be unpredictable, we encourage members to prepare for the case of emergencies, such as unexpected power outages. 

• If one experiences a prolonged power outage, it is essential to have an emergency  survival kit on hand with the following: 
  • medical kit/supplies 
  • prescription medication 
  • five-day supply of drinking water (per person in a household) 
  • five-day supply of non-perishable food (per person in a household)
  • manual can opener 
  • camp stove or grill 
  • extra batteries, matches, propone, charcoal, and firewood 
  • portable battery-powered radio and alarm clock 
  • charged portable phone charger
  • flashlights and other battery-operated lights
  • warm clothing, blankets (especially in colder weather) 
  • personal hygiene products 
  • plan a meeting spot & method of communication with your family if separated