One of the first things I remember when starting my career with Santee Cooper was the overwhelming emphasis on safety. This isn’t to say that other companies aren’t safety focused, but the moment I walked into orientation, I knew right off that safety was a top priority.
Of course, a large part of this is due to the nature of the work we do here. Electricity can be extremely dangerous if it isn’t respected, but as long as we keep that healthy respect, every one of us will be able to return home to our families at the end of the day regardless of what role we play.
May is electrical safety month, and although not all of us work for an electric utility, we are all surrounded by electricity. Now is a great time to focus on some simple things you can do around the house to ensure you and electricity work well together. Here are a few electrical safety tips to help ensure that’s possible:
Inspect your cords – Cords that are frayed or worn can be a hazard, and it’s always better to replace them than to repair.
Extension cords aren’t a permanent fix – Extension cords aren’t meant to be permanent. If you find yourself relying on them, it’s best to call an electrician and look into installing more outlets.
Don’t overload your outlets – Plugging too many things into an outlet can be bad news and can even cause a fire. Power strips are a great tool, but you shouldn’t overload your outlet with multiple strips or adapters.
Block unused outlets – Outlets that aren’t in use can be a serious temptation for children to see what fits in them. If you have unused outlets, cover them with a solid plate or at the very least block them with child safety caps.
Tripping breakers aren’t normal – Breakers are designed to stop the flow of electricity if a circuit is overloaded. If yours are constantly tripping, see if you can move some appliances to different outlets or consider updating your wiring.
Santee Cooper knows a few things about being safe. We earned first place in our group for the 2022 American Public Power Association’s Safety Award of Excellence and have earned first or second place 15 years in a row. Visit our electrical safety page for more great tips!