PN UPDATE, June 23, 2014 / In light of recent electrical storms and likely more to be forecast, this story is updated to remind readers to educate family, friends and neighbors about being prepared for summertime weather and how to play in it safely.
The National Weather Service estimates the odds of being struck by lightning in your lifetime are 1 in 10,000. The odds that you will know and be affected by someone being struck are only 1 in 1,000. It is simply not a risk worth taking.
From 2003-2012, an average of 35 lightning fatalities were recorded, and each year, hundreds more are injured. Safe Electricity encourages you to help keep your family safe by learning what precautions and actions to take.
After a storm, wait until 30 minutes have passed without lightning or thunder before returning outside. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles from the core of a thunderstorm.
According to the Energy Education Council, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. It is a good idea to heed the advice of the National Weather Service, “When thunder roars, go indoors.”
If a person is struck by lightning, call 911 and care for the victim immediately. You are not in danger of being shocked or electrocuted by the victim.
For more electrical safety information, visit SafeElectricity.org.
Since 1968, the Naperville Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has maintained an Outdoor Warning Siren System to warn the residents about severe weather, flash flooding, approaching tornadoes and other major emergencies. Today, there are 19 siren units throughout the city. The sirens are tested the first Tuesday of each month at 10AM.
Naper Notify is another way to receive alerts regarding public safety as well as important information that matters to local residents. For more information or to sign up to receive notifications, visit the city’s website.
Staying safe is a goal for life that adults need to pass from one younger generation to the next. Never make assumptions that young people know all the right choices when playing near ponds and swimming pools, in parks and playgrounds, etc. Help youngsters enjoy nature and the great outdoors with knowledge focused on safety first.
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Summer Safety Practices
Original Post, June 21, 2013 / It’s the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Before sundown, all residents might benefit from a refresher course to consider advice for safe electricity practices as outdoor activities—baseball games, tennis matches, cookouts, swimming, etc.—begin in full swing. While it’s good to go outside to exercise and enjoy fresh air and sunshine, make sure all ages are aware of potential hazards to keep outdoor fun safe.
“Make sure your family has a talk about staying safe,” notes Molly Hall, executive director of the Safe Electricity program for the Energy Education Council. “This includes safety during storms and safety around power lines and other electrical equipment-including pad mounted transformers, those green metal boxes that contain the above ground portion of an underground electrical installation.
Hall said the cabinets carry high voltages and are safe when locked, but they can be deadly if someone reaches inside. She urges residents to call authorities at your local utility immediately if you see one in your neighborhood that is open.
Safe Electricity Safety Tips to Share
Keep yourself, as well as items such as ladders or long poles, at least 10 feet away from power lines in all directions, at all times.
If electric wires in your neighborhood have sagged for some reason or a tree limb has pushed the line out of place, keep your neighborhood safe by alerting your electric utility.
Never enter an electrical substation for any reason. If a ball or other item enters the fence, call your utility for help. Additionally, use caution near solar panels and wind turbines.
Do not fly kites or model planes near overhead power lines or electrical substations. A kite string can conduct electricity from an overhead power line to the person on the ground.
Never climb trees near power lines. They could be conductors of electricity if branches touch the wires. Even if branches are not touching power lines, they could when someone’s weight is added.
When thunder roars, go indoors!
Storm fronts can move rapidly, and lightning is a potential danger 10 miles in advance of a storm. The rule of thumb from the National Weather Service is, “when thunder roars, go indoors.”
With so many outdoor activities happening during summer months, it’s essential to plan ahead so that you don’t get caught outside in a storm. Hall explains, “There is no safe place from lightning when you are outside. To be as safe as possible you must seek shelter indoors or in an enclosed metal topped vehicle when there is a thunderstorm in the area.”
Dr. Che Miller, a survivor of two lightning strikes, urges everyone to learn from his experiences that happened while he was a child. Each left him with little memory of the incident but, fortunately, no serious long-term effects. He knows most people are not nearly as lucky when struck by lightning. “Stay inside during a storm, and make sure it is well past the area before going back outside,” he advises.
After a storm, wait until 30 minutes has passed without lightning or thunder before you return outside. If a person is struck by lightning, call 911 and care for the victim immediately. You are not in danger of being electrocuted by the victim.
Help ensure your family’s summer is a safe one. Visit SafeElectricity.org to find more information on accident prevention and safety education. Have a family talk about keeping all your loved ones safe in all kinds of weather.
Did you know? The Energy Education Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting electrical safety and energy efficiency. Established in 1952, the Council serves as a forum for diverse utility and energy organizations to collaborate on the mutually vital issues of efficiency and safety.
