When the weather turns cold, the snow piles high and we snuggle inside, Burke-Divide Electric Cooperative wants you to remain safe this winter! Practicing these winter safety tips will have a snowball effect on your safety throughout the entire winter!
- Be aware of where electrical equipment is located. Avoid plowing into pad-mounted transformers, cabinets, poles and guy wires while moving snow. Mark electrical equipment near driveways and sidewalks with flags or posts to avoid hitting the equipment with a plow when the snow gets deep.
- As you move snow, hay or equipment, keep watching for those overhead power lines. Look up, look around and always
- remain at least 10 feet away from any power line.
- Pile cleared snow a good distance away from power lines to avoid contact with a power line.
- Use your space heater safely. Read and follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions, never leave a space heater unattended and keep the heater at least 3 feet from flammable items.
- Have a working smoke alarm and test its batteries regularly.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on how to use your electric generator. Most important is the transfer switch that disconnects the farm or home from the power line and connects it to the generator. It must be a double-throw
- transfer switch, which prevents the generator from feeding electricity back onto the power line. This protects the lineworkers who may be working to restore your service.