By Laura Cook, with information from the Electrical Safety Foundation International

No one knows electrical safety better than those professionals who practice it every single day. Randolph EMC encourages you to practice safety with these reminders during and after a summer storm:

1Avoid wires and water: When lightning strikes a home, the electrical charge can surge through pipes and utility wires. That means you can receive a shock if you are touching water or any plugged-in device, whether a landline phone or a toaster.

2Skip the makeshift shelter: When bad weather erupts, you may be tempted to take cover under a picnic gazebo or golf cart. However, these open-sided structures provide no conductors to channel strikes. That means a lightning bolt’s path of least resistance to the ground could be through you. These structures raise your risk of a lightning strike because of their height. Don’t stop here. Keep moving toward suitable shelter.

3Portable generators: Take special care with portable generators. They can provide a good source of power, but if improperly installed or operated, they can become deadly. Do not connect generators directly to household wiring. Power from generators can backfeed along power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including co-op line workers making repairs. Use a qualified, licensed electrician to install your generator and ensure that it meets local electrical codes.

4Flooded areas: Stay away from downed power lines and avoid walking through flooded areas. You may not be able to see submerged power lines still flowing with electricity. Report any downed lines you see to Randolph EMC by calling 1-877-736-2633 (1-877-REMC-OFF) immediately.

5Electrical equipment: Never use electrical equipment that is wet—especially outdoor electrical equipment, a potential danger after a summer storm. Water can damage electrical equipment and parts and pose a shock or fire hazard.