FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LIVE LINE DEMONSTRATION HELD FOR SCOTLAND COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Memphis, MO -- Tri-County Electric and Northeast Power sponsored an electrical safety demonstration on Wednesday, January 15th to high school students at Scotland County High School in Memphis, Missouri. The Energizing Safety electrical safety education program is designed to empower individuals and communities with the knowledge and skills necessary to stay safe around electricity. This program is committed to fostering a culture of safety and promoting awareness about electrical hazards.
The presentation includes a 7200-volt live line display unit, operated in a controlled environment, that sends students away with a much greater respect for electricity and the dangers associated with it. Certified safety instructors conducted the and operated the display and students were able to see firsthand the dangers of electricity.
The audience was taught how to react quickly and safely in various emergency situations involving downed power lines. Tri-County Electric reminded students that if they were ever in an accident involving a power pole, they should assume electrical lines could be down and energized. The proper action is to stay inside the vehicle until Tri-County Electric can de-energize the line. Stepping out of the car could create a path to ground and kill a person instantly. The only exception would be if the vehicle was on fire. In that case, the proper action is to jump – not step – with both feet together away from the vehicle, making sure you are NOT touching the vehicle with any part of your body when you land. Because electricity dissipates and the ground may be energized, you should hop with both feet together as you leave the area.
The program also reminds participants to watch out for overhead power lines, keeping farm equipment, swimming pool cleaning tools, balloons and other objects clear of electrical lines. Additional topics were covered, including the importance of ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), causes of momentary outages (blinks) and much more.
The Energizing Safety live line demonstration provides students with a solid foundation for electrical safety knowledge and helps them to be aware of the dangers associated with electricity. Tri-County Electric is pleased to sponsor this program for schools and community groups as well as fire, police and emergency response departments. For more information on this program, visit www.energizingsafety.coop/demos.