As your Touchstone Energy Cooperative, member safety is important to us. Below are some links to safety information to help keep you and your family safe.
Power Line Safety
Accidentally making contact with a power line can be dangerous and in some cases, even deadly. We want to help our members stay safe around power lines.
Power Line Hazards and Cars
If a power line falls on a car, you should stay inside the vehicle. This is the safest place to stay. Warn people not to touch the car or the line. Call 911.
The only circumstance in which you should consider leaving a car that is in contact with a downed power line is if the vehicle catches on fire. Open the door. Do not step out of the car. You may receive a shock. Instead, jump free of the car so that your body clears the vehicle before touching the ground. Once you clear the car, shuffle at least 50 feet away, with both feet on the ground.
As in all power-line related emergencies, call for help immediately by dialing 911.
Do not try to help someone else from the car while you are standing on the ground.
Keep a Safe Distance
Whether you are playing outdoors with your children or working on landscaping projects, keep a safe distance from power lines and other equipment Noble REMC uses to get electricity to your home.
Always remember:
- Stay away from power lines, meters, transformers and electrical boxes.
- Don’t climb trees near power lines.
- Never fly kites, remote control airplanes or balloons near power lines.
- If you get something stuck in a power line, call us to get it.
- Keep a safe distance from overhead power lines when working with ladders or installing objects such as antennas.
- Never touch or go near a downed power line.
- Don’t touch anything that may be touching a downed wire, such as a car.
- Keep children and pets away.
Farm Safety
There are all types of precautions farmers take to stay safe. Electrical hazards, however, can sometimes be overlooked since electricity is not seen or heard and overhead power lines can become part of the landscape.
Here are some electrical safety tips to implement on your farm:
- In general, look for exposed energized parts and unguarded electrical equipment that could become energized unexpectedly.
- Be careful when operating watering tanks with electric pumps. In addition, sprays of water from irrigation systems should not be near overhead power lines.
- Inspect electrical fencing regularly to ensure that everything is tight and secure and that no parts are frayed.
- Make sure electric fencing is visible by using electric fence tape, warning signs or other methods.
- Do not store hay bales under power lines.
- When using a generator and double throw switch, make sure they are in good working order and up to code.
- Ensure that irrigation equipment is regularly inspected. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for inspection and maintenance.
- Always turn off the power before working on an irrigation system.
- Position irrigation pipes at least 15 feet away from power lines; also, store unused pipes away from power lines.
- Always be aware of overhead power line locations and use a spotter when working close to lines or poles.
Indoor Safety
- Have a licensed, qualified heating technician service your furnace or heating system.
- Change heating system filters to keep air passing through.
- Replace batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.
- 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.
Download our Plug Into Home Safety brochure to learn how to keep your house as safe and efficient as possible with small updates and cleanings.