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At Haywood EMC, member safety is important to us. Important safety information to help keep you and your family safe.

Power Line Safety

Accidentally contacting a power line can be dangerous and in some cases, even deadly. Your local cooperative wants to help our members stay safe around power lines.

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 your co-op uses to get electricity to your home.

Always remember to:

  • Stay away from power lines, meters, transformers, and electrical boxes.
  • Don’t climb trees near power lines.
  • Never fly kits, remote control airplanes, or balloons near power lines.
  • If you get something stuck in a power line, call Haywood EMC 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.

If a Power Line Falls on Your Car

  • Stay inside the vehicle. This is the safest place to remain.
  • Warn others not to touch the car or the downed line.
  • Call for help (or ask someone nearby to call) your local cooperative and emergency services.

When to Leave the Vehicle

The only time you should consider leaving a car that is in contact with a downed power line is if the vehicle catches on fire.

  1. Open the door.
  2. Do not step out—you may receive a shock.
  3. Instead, jump clear of the car so your body does not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time.
  4. Once clear, shuffle at least 50 feet away while keeping both feet in contact with the ground.

In Any Power Line Emergency

  • Call 911 immediately.
  • Also call your electric utility company’s Service Center/Dispatch office.

Important Reminder

Do not attempt to help someone else from the car while you are standing on the ground.

Electrical Safety & Generators

Preventing Electrocutions Associated With Portable Generators Plugged Into Household Circuits

When power lines are down, residents can restore energy to their homes or other structures by using another power source, such as a portable generator.

  • If water has been present anywhere near electrical circuits and electrical equipment, turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel.
  • Do not turn the power back on until electrical equipment has been inspected by a qualified electrician.

Using a Portable Generator Safely

  • Follow manufacturer recommendations and specifications strictly.
  • If there are any questions regarding the operation or installation of the portable generator, contact a qualified electrician immediately to assist in installation and start-up activities.
  • The generator should always be positioned outside the structure.

Preventing Backfeed

When using gasoline- and diesel-powered portable generators to supply power to a building:

  • Switch the main breaker or fuse on the service panel to the “off” position prior to starting the generator.
    • This will prevent power lines from being inadvertently energized by backfeed electrical energy from the generators.
    • This also helps protect utility line workers, repair workers, and people in neighboring buildings from possible electrocution.

If the generator is plugged into a household circuit without turning the main breaker to the “off” position or removing the main fuse:

  • The electrical current could reverse.
  • It can travel back through the circuit to the outside power grid.
  • Power lines or electrical systems in other buildings could be energized to at or near their original voltage—without the knowledge of utility or other workers.

Effects of Backfeed

  • The problem of backfeed in electrical energy is a potential risk for electrical energy workers.
  • Electrocutions are the 5th leading cause of all reported occupational deaths.
  • Following the safety guidelines above can reduce this risk.

Other Generator Hazards

Generator use is also a major cause of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

  • Generators should only be used in well-ventilated areas.