Safety begins with proper wiring. Follow these electric safety tips:

  • Qualified electricians should install and check wiring.

  • Homes should be 100-amps; 200 -amps for homes heated electrically.

  • Electric appliances should have three-prong plugs.

  • Keep cords away from heat and water.

  • Never wrap cords around metal. Keep them away from foot traffic.

  • Weatherproof outdoor electric outlets.

  • Major electric appliances should have their own circuits.

  • Never use appliances when you are wet or on a wet surface.

  • Never use electric tools/appliances outdoors if it is raining or wet.

  • Always use moisture-resistant appliance cords outside.

  • Use power tools with durable, grounded or double insulated cords.

  • Never operate an electric lawn mower in wet grass.

  • Teach your children not to fly kites near power lines.

  • Never touch fallen electric wires. They may be energized.

  • Never enter a power substation.

  • Ground antennas. Install antenna (2x) its height from power lines.

  • Never use any type of metal equipment near power lines.

  • Show your family where the main fuse/circuit breaker is located.

  • Inspect cords. Immediately replace, not patch, damaged ones.

  • Never pull a plug from a wall outlet by the cord. Grasp the plug.

  • Unplug irons and heat appliances when they are not in use.

  • Plug power tools or heavy appliances into wall outlets only.

Safety Tips – Water Damage To Electrical

If you think your home may have water damage — from roof leaks or flood waters that have receded — Flint has the following important safety tips:

  • Watch for downed wires when you approach your home. Consider all lines energized and call Flint if you see a live “sparking” power line.

  • Once inside, disconnect all electrical appliances that are still plugged in. Use caution. Do not stand in water when operating switches, plugging in or unplugging electrical cords.

  • When resetting circuit breakers, wear dry, rubber soled shoes and stand on something dry and non-conductive, such as a dry piece of wood or wooden furniture.

  • Use only one hand, and reset the breaker switches with a dry wooden tool. Do not make contact with the metal breaker box or other grounded objects in the area. If the breakers will not reset or they continue to trip, call a licensed electrician. This condition might indicate a short-circuit in your electrical system.

  • If you had no problem resetting the circuit breakers, you will still want to check your appliances for water damage and make sure all cords are dry before you attempt to re-plug electrical appliances into wall sockets.

  • If, after plugging in an appliance, the breakers trip (or fuse blows) or you see smoke or smell a burning odor, shut off power at the circuit breaker and have the appliance checked by a qualified appliance serviceman.

Be very careful around all electrical wires and equipment. If you have any doubts about your home electrical system or are unsure of how to proceed, call a professional, licensed electrician.

Safety Tips

If you plan to use a portable generator, here are some important safety precautions:

  • First, locate your generator in a well-ventilated area. Never run it inside, even in your garage. Gasoline-powered generators produce carbon monoxide and the fumes can be deadly.

  • Second, plug appliances directly into the generator using heavy duty, properly grounded extension cords. Make sure that extension cords are not frayed or worn. Do not connect your power generator directly to your home’s main fuse box or circuit panel. Limit the number of appliances you use to no more than the recommended wattage of the generator.

  • Read all instructions carefully and follow the manufacturers recommendations. Use the generator only when necessary, and don’t overload it. Turn it off at night while you sleep and when you are away from home, to avoid possible fire hazard.

For your safety …. the safety of neighbors, and the safety of Flint employees working to restore electricity do not attempt to connect your generator to your home wiring.

If you have any doubts about how to properly use a portable electric generator, contact the manufacturer or a licensed electrician for assistance.

Planning on planting trees? Burying a cable?

Calling before you dig will keep you out of trouble with the law. Besides, who wants their neighbors mad at them because they caused a power outage when they dug a hole to plant a tree?

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The Georgia Utilities Protection Center (UPC) provides a single point of contact for the prevention of damage to underground utility facilities, and to protect the public and construction contractors from contact with power and gas lines. Georgia law requires that anyone digging in Georgia must contact UPC three days before construction begins. Utilities are required to locate all underground facilities in the construction area by the end of the second business day after a locate request is made. The location of utilities will be marked to prevent accidental contact. UPC can be reached at 1-800-282-7411 or 811 or on the web here.

Flint Energies will assist members in locating underground electrical facilities if construction will take place near the marked facilities.

Doing some work overhead?

Georgia law further requires that anyone performing any work within 10 feet of overhead high-voltage electric power lines notify the UPC during its regular business hours at least 72 hours prior to beginning such work, excluding weekends and holidays. Notification allows the owner or operator of the power lines to take appropriate safety measures to prevent injury to persons and property and interruptions of utility service resulting from accidental or inadvertent contact with high-voltage electric lines.