Safety Tips

Indoor Safety

Some tips for indoor safety when working with electricity:

  • Replace blown fuses or bad breakers with the correct size. If you do not know the correct size to use, check with an licensed electrician
  • Each light fixture in your house is designed to have a certain wattage bulb. If you install a 100-watt bulb in a fixture designed for a 75-watt bulb, it could overheat and cause a fire
  • Bathroom outlets should have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI). GFCIs can help prevent electrocution. If you don't have them you should contact an electrician about having them installed
  • Cords and plugs should be checked for cracking and fraying. Never cut the third prong (ground prong) off of a three-prong plug to make it fit in a two-prong outlet. Call an electrician and have your outlets updated.
  • Missing or broken wall plates should be replaced around electrical outlets and child protection covers should be installed when children are present
  • Water and electricity do not mix. Avoid using appliances when the possibility of contact with water exists
  • Space heaters should be placed at least three to four feet from flammable materials such as curtains, rugs, furniture and other combustible material

Outdoor Safety

Some tips for outdoor safety when working with electricity:

  • Before doing any digging in your yard, please call or visit online the Diggers Hotline of Nebraska at (800) 331-5666 to check for buried utility lines. Contact with these lines can be very dangerous, and even fatal
  • Never put a ladder or antenna in a position where it can come in contact with a power line
  • Teach your children never to climb utility poles, fences around substations, or trees near overhead power lines
  • Outdoor outlets need Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. These GFCIs can save your life by interrupting the flow of power if there is a problem
  • Never fly kites where they can come in contact with power lines. If they do come in contact, stay away from the string and call the Electric Distribution Department at (402) 375-2896 for assistance
  • Stay away from downed power lines. If someone comes in contact with a power line, do not try to rescue the person as you may become a victim too. Call the Electric Distribution department or 9-1-1 for assistance
  • Do not plant trees under power lines. The trees may someday come in contact with the lines