Digging Safety: Call 811 Before You Dig 

You can never fully know what’s underground—always call 811 before starting any digging project! Many homeowners and workers are unaware of the utility lines that run beneath their property, and striking one can cause expensive repairs, project delays, and even life-threatening injuries. Always call 811 at least three days before digging to ensure safety. Safe Electricity and Sumter EMC urge you to follow these safety tips when digging. 

Understanding Utility Markings:

When you contact 811, they’ll alert utility companies to mark the underground lines at your site using color-coded flags or paint. Each color corresponds to a specific utility: red for electric, yellow for gas, and blue for water.

Safe Digging Practices: 

Once you receive your utility markings, it’s crucial to dig with caution. If the markings fade or are removed, be sure to restore them. When digging within 18-24 inches of a marked utility line, always use hand tools to minimize the risk of damage. Keep in mind that 811 does not locate private utilities. If your project involves systems like underground sprinklers or gas lines running to a garage, you’ll need to hire a private locator.
No matter the project, always call 811 before any form of digging. By taking this simple step, you can ensure that all your excavation work is done safely and responsibly. 
 

Beautify your yard, not utility equipment 

As you beautify your yard this spring and summer, Sumter EMC and Safe Electricity remind you of these safety tips:

• Do not plant shrubs and trees close to green box transformers or other utility equipment. Limiting or restricting access to the box in your yard by us could delay restoration work during an outage and create a serious safety hazard. We need at least 10 feet of clearance in front of the transformer (the side that is padlocked), as well as four feet of clearance on the other three sides.
• Contact us with questions about landscaping around or installing fencing near a padmount transformer (or any other changes) to learn what is allowable.
• Contact us if the transformer becomes unlocked or if it or any other type of utility equipment appears to be damaged.
• Call 811 prior to digging around a transformer and respect the clearance requirements noted above. If you dig near a transformer (even if it is beyond the clearance requirements), you could inadvertently hit a live underground cable. Always call 811 prior to any digging.
• Keep a clear path to the transformer. Even though the transformer seems like it is in “your yard,” it is technically on an easement, and our workers need clear access to it to maintain equipment and keep power running smoothly.

• Contact us with any questions or concerns about the safety of padmount transformers. Always teach children that they should not sit on, open, or play around the green boxes.

   

Protect Your Linemen

Don't Attach Signs or Other Objects to Power Poles!

Sumter EMC's linemen are well trained and very dedicated men who take tremendous pride in serving you. You can help protect your linemen by not turning our utility poles into obstacle courses with tacks, nails and staples from posted signs, posters, notices or mounted recreational equipment. Tacks, nails and staples driven into Sumter EMC's utility poles can puncture the linemen's rubber safety gloves and leave them vulnerable to electrocution. Linemen whose climbing hooks hit a nail instead of sinking securely into wood may fall from the pole and sustain serious injuries. Remember, anytime a lineman must unfasten his safety harness in order to climb above an obstacle on a utility pole, he's working without a net! Also, when linemen have to remove objects from poles in order to climb them during an outage, it takes much longer to restore your power.

Sumter EMC's linemen climb the poles in all weather conditions and at all hours of the day or night to maintain and repair the equipment that brings you safe, reliable electric power. These dedicated men face enough danger in their efforts to keep your electric power on. Please do your part to help them eliminate additional hazards by not posting signs, posters and notices or mounting recreational equipment on our utility poles.

Extension Cord Safety

Do's and Don'ts of Extension Cords

• Use an extension cord only as a temporary connection.
• When using extension cords outdoors, make sure they are labeled for outdoor use.
• Install GFCI receptacles where cords will be used outdoors.
• Use a heavy-duty, grounded, three-pronged cord when working with power tools.
• Replace extension cords with worn or cracked insulation.
• Don't run extension cords across foot traffic areas or near water.
• Don't place furniture or other heavy objects on top of extension cords.
• Don't overload extension cords - be particularly careful about plugging multiple appliances into a single extension cord.

Is Your Wiring Safe?

Know if your home's electrical system is properly wired.

How do you know if your home's electrical system is properly wired or in need of repairs or upgrades? Here are five key indicators to remember:

• Whenever you turn on an appliance, such as a dishwasher, clothes washer or dryer, the lights in your home dim.
• You frequently have problems with fuses blowing or circuit breakers tripping off.
• Appliances that should heat up, such as toasters and irons, don't get as hot as they should or take longer to heat up.
• Your television picture shrinks when other lights or appliances come on.
• Lights brighten in part of the house when other lights or appliances come on.

Driver Safety: Distracted Driving 

Did you know that on average, at least 8 people lose their lives every day in car crashes caused by distracted driving? April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and to help reduce these tragic accidents, Safe Electricity has some valuable reminders and tips to keep you and others safe on the road.

Texting is the most common form of distracted driving, but there are many other distractions that you might not even realize. In fact, there are three types to be aware of: Visual (taking your eyes off the road), Manual (taking your hands off the wheel), and Cognitive (taking your mind off driving). Examples include eating or drinking, scrolling through your music playlist, looking at your GPS, or talking on the phone.

Here are some tips to help prevent distracted driving:

• The text can wait—avoid texting while driving. To reduce temptation, adjust your phone settings to block messages and notifications while on the road.
• Never eat while driving.
• Set up your navigation before you start driving.
• Create a playlist in advance to avoid searching for music while driving.

Distracted driving is entirely preventable, and staying focused on the road is essential for your safety and the safety of others. Sumter EMC is committed to helping keep our communities safe on and off the road.