The safety of co-op members and employees is a top priority at Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC), especially during extreme weather events when power outages might be widespread. When this happens, linemen and field personnel rush to aid those affected. If system damages are serious, like during the February 2015 ice storms, it might take several days to restore power.
Line crews take necessary precautions before they work on downed power lines. First, they verify a circuit has been de-energized and that proper switches are opened and tagged to isolate the circuit from the system. They place grounding chains on the circuit — on both sides of where the repairs are underway — to ensure the line cannot be energized while work is being done.
But even with these safety measures, their lives remain in your hands.
DREMC is proud of its outstanding safety record, but no matter how many steps are taken to keep everyone safe, co-op members with portable generators might unknowingly put lives in danger.
Portable generators, widely used when power lines are down, can prove fatal to line workers and the public when used improperly.
No one would purposely cause the death of a lineman. Nevertheless, a generator connected to a home’s wiring or plugged into a regular household outlet can cause high-voltage back-feeding, posing the danger of electrocution even if the co-op’s line seems dead.
DREMC employees are not the only ones in danger when a portable generator is used improperly. Generator owners themselves may be at risk of electrocution, fire injury, property damage, or carbon monoxide poisoning if they do not follow the necessary safety rules.
Portable generators can be very helpful to consumers during outages. But DREMC urges members to follow these safety guidelines:
♣ Never connect a generator directly to your home’s wiring unless the proper protective switch has been installed. This can cause back-feeding, sending electricity from the generator back onto the power line. Across the U.S., linemen are injured and killed every year in mishaps caused by generator back-feeds. Have a licensed electrician install the equipment necessary to safely connect an emergency generator to the wiring in your home.
• ♣ Always plug appliances directly into generators. Running appliances directly from the generator is a safer way to provide power in the absence of a protective switch wired into the home.
♣ Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords. Make sure extension cords are free of cuts or tears and the plug has three prongs. Overloaded cords can cause fires or equipment damage.
♣ Ensure your generator is properly grounded. This is extremely important. Members of the household could be in danger if the grounding is faulty.
♣ Never overload a generator. A portable generator should only be used, when necessary, to power essential equipment or appliances. Follow the manufacturer’s wattage recommendations and never overload the generator.
♣ Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting it down.
♣ Keep the generator dry. Operate it on a dry surface or under an open-sided structure. Never run a generator inside a house due to the danger of carbon-monoxide poisoning.
♣ Always have a fully charged fire extinguisher nearby.
♣ Never fuel a generator while it is operating.
♣ Read and adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation. Never cut corners when it comes to safety.
DREMC encourages co-op members to protect the well-being and safety of themselves and their families during power outages, but also to safeguard those who come to their aid during emergency situations.
Lives Are on the Line, Warns DREMC
