May is National Electrical Safety Month, and Tampa Electric is joining the annual effort to remind customers to stay safe near electrical equipment. Taking simple steps can help to prevent electrical accidents or fires.
If you own a portable generator, you’ll probably be dusting it off as storm season begins. Knowing how to use generators safely is the key to preventing tragedy. Here are a few simple tips for using a generator safely:
- Portable generators must be properly ventilated. Do not use a generator inside your home or any enclosed space, such as a garage or covered porch. Without proper ventilation, deadly carbon monoxide gas could build up.
- Only use a generator in a dry area. Generators can shock and electrocute, so never use one where it’s wet.
- Plug individual appliances directly into the generator. Do not connect a portable generator directly to a home circuit. Connecting a generator to home circuits may cause power to flow to outside lines, called backfeed, which can pose life-threatening danger to Tampa Electric crews and the public, if power lines are on the ground.
Storms can sometimes cause power lines to fall. Be vigilant near downed power lines:
- If you see a downed line, call 911 and Tampa Electric at 877-588-1010 immediately.
- Downed lines do not have to pop and snap to be energized. Assume all downed lines are energized.
- All people and animals should stay away from a downed line or any object – such as a tree branch, fence, vehicle or even water – that the line touches. Downed lines can energize the ground for a significant distance, especially in wet conditions.
- Never try to move a downed power line, and never drive over one – or through water near a downed line.
- If your vehicle comes in contact with a power line or utility pole, stay in your vehicle unless you see fire or smoke. In the event of fire or smoke:
- Do not touch the ground and vehicle at the same time.
- Jump from the vehicle with your feet together.
- Shuffle a significant distance away, avoid lifting your feet.
Learn more about our efforts to promote safety for customers and employees on our Safety homepage.
Tampa Electric, one of Florida’s largest investor-owned electric utilities, serves about 830,000 customers in West Central Florida. Tampa Electric is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
