HOW and WHY Electricity Can Kill You:
Electricity flows along paths called circuits. When you turn the light switch on, you are closing a circuit (that is, creating a path) from the Electric Department’s distribution system along power lines to your home’s wiring and then to your light bulb. When you turn off the light switch, you are opening that circuit, which then cuts off the electricity flow.
Some materials allow electricity to flow through it, and others block it. Materials that allow electric current to flow are called conductors. Aluminum, brass, copper, silver, gold, and water make good conductors of electricity. Materials that do not conduct electricity are insulators (also referred to as non-conductors). Glass, rubber, and plastic are good insulators. That’s why appliance cords are usually plastic or rubber.
Because our bodies are made up of mostly water (70 percent) and since water is a conductor of electricity, human bodies are also good conductors. But you don’t EVER want to be part of the path of electricity because electricity strong enough to power appliances or turn lights on in your house could kill you.
So always PREVENT yourself from becoming part of an electricity path or circuit. If you touch anything that has electricity flowing through it (this is called energized) that is also not insulated, you create a path for electricity, and it tries to flow through your body. And if the electricity flow is strong enough, it will kill you. That’s why you must stay away from energized power lines and also why you shouldn’t do things like stick metal objects in to household appliances that are plugged into outlets.
SAFETY TIP: Be Careful with Power Lines
We can never overstate the importance of electrical safety. Banning Electric Utility urges people to be extremely cautious when encountering power lines, whether you are doing construction work near the lines or encounter a downed line during a storm. The Utility recommends the following electrical safety tips:
Outdoors:
• Never climb near power lines.
• Keep ladders away from power lines.
• Stay away from all downed power lines
• If a Powerline falls on your car after an accident, stay in your car unless your car catches fire. Then jump out of your car, being careful not to touch the car and the ground at the same time, and shuffle at least 20 feet away, keeping your feet together as much as possible.
• Never let children play on the green pad mount transformer cabinets, which are used to reduce electricity voltage.
• Don’t ever try to open the transformer cabinet or reach inside.
• Utility cabinets should not be buried in landscape material or surrounded by shrubbery because these may cause the cabinets to overheat and fail to function. Obstructions will also cause delays in restoring service should an outage occur.
Fly a kite safely:
• Never fly kites near power lines.
• Choose an open space for kite-flying where there are no power lines or cars.
• Stay far away from power lines and anything that is touching them
• If your kite somehow gets caught in a power line, do not touch the kite or string. Call the Electric Department for help.
• Don’t fly your kite when the weather is bad. Lightning can electrocute you.
• Only use string to fly your kite. Never use wire. Remember: metal is a conductor of electricity.
Indoors:
• Keep fingers and other objects away from electrical outlets.
• Never overload outlets with too many plugs.
• Never pull a plug out by the cord.
• Never use radios or hairdryers around baths, showers, or hot tubs.
• Never put metal silverware into plugged in toasters.