May is electrical safety month. Lumbee River EMC puts a lot of effort into educating our staff and members about electricity. In honor of National Electrical Safety Month in May, LREMC encourages members to take time this month to talk to your family about safe electricity practices. You can start by sharing these simple tips:  

Inside:

• Never put anything other than an electrical plug in an outlet. Use outlet covers to protect children
• Never touch electrical appliances with wet hands or use them near sinks, tubs, toilets, or showers
• Examine electrical cords often for fraying or cracking, and throw away any worn cords
• Extension cords are for temporary use, not intended for use as permanent home wiring
• Do not use extension cords or multi-outlet converters for appliances. All major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall outlet

Outside:

• Never go near or drive over a power line. If you encounter a downed line, stay far away and notify LREMC
• Keep kites, drones, model airplanes, and metallic balloons away from powerlines
• Always operate the generator outdoors in an open area if using a portable generator. Use an extension cord to connect the generator directly to the appliance and ensure the extension cord has three prongs rated for the appliance's amount of power
• Do not connect generators directly to household wiring unless a licensed electrician completes the work. This prevents back-feeding, which could electrocute utility workers
• Call 811 before any digging project