Outdoor Safety

Outside work:

• Water does not mix with electricity. Avoid damp conditions- including wet grass - when using electricity
  
  
• When using or carrying a ladder, scaffold, pole, fencing, or lumber - stay clear of power lines. Anything carried in an upright position can accidentally contact an overhead power line with possibly fatal results.
  
  
• Make sure to use GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets for all power tools and electrical appliances; if there is a fault in the line they will stop the flow of electricity, preventing serious injury.
  
  
• If using gasoline or other chemicals with fumes avoid areas where electric sparks could cause an explosion
  
  
• Don’t think you are safe because you are wearing athletic shoes with a rubber sole! Rubber soled shoes do not insulate against electric current. Only 100% PURE rubber insulates against electricity. Household gloves and shoes are not made of pure rubber. To make the shoes more durable and marketable, additives are mixed with the rubber, and that makes the shoes and gloves conductors.
  
  
• Mow only in daylight
  
  
• Trees or bushes may have grown into power lines over the winter. Make sure to locate and inspect all trees and bushes before trimming trees, flying kites, roofing or house painting.
  
  
• Before digging, always check to make sure you will not hit underground utilities. Call OKIE at 1-800-522-6543 to ensure your safety and avoid damage.
  
  

Ladders:

• Be careful when using ladders. Ladders coming into contact with an overhead line can be fatal.
  
  
• Wood ladders as well as metal are a hazard. Wood is not an insulator. In fact, wood is a conductor, although a poor one. The higher the voltage on the line, the better the wood will conduct. If the wood is wet, it becomes an even better conductor.
  
  
• If a ladder starts to fall into a power line, let it go. Stay nearby while someone else calls the power company to cut off electricity to the line.
  
  

Tools:

• Check power tools before each use for frayed cords, broken plugs or cracked housing
  
  
• Make sure products are appropriate for outdoor use. Most products intended for continuous outdoor use have heavily insulated cords and molded on plugs to prevent moisture from seeping in. Unless a product is designed for outdoor use, a sudden shower or spray from a hose can ruin the product and turn it into a serious shock hazard
  
  
• Read instruction manuals to insure safe use. Never bypass a safety device.
  
  
• Turn products off and unplug if a cord overheats
  
  
• Replace or have damaged parts, cords or plugs repaired by qualified professionals.
  
  
• Check to make sure power tools have a 3 prong plug or double insulated cords. Consider replacing old tools that have neither
  
  
• Except for appliances designed to be used in a wet environment (such as a power washer), power up on a dry day
  
  
• If using power tools in a garage or shed, be sure the door is open for proper ventilation
  
  
• Never carry electric tools by their cords
  
  
• Never leave power tools unattended. Put the product where no child or unqualified adult can misuse it
  
  
• Never plug a power tool in while the switch is in the "on" position
  
  
• Power washers combine water and electricity. Always read the manual carefully.
  
  
• Switch off, unplug, store and lock products not in use
  
  
• There have been several recalls of power tools due to problems with the safety guard sticking. To check if your model has been recalled, check online at www.recalls.gov
  
  
• Use a properly grounded 3 prong adapter if you must connect a 3 prong plug to a 2 hole receptacle
  
  

Power Cords:

• Keep products with electrical cords away from sinks, puddles, pools, ponds, and hot tubs.
  
  
• Completely connect plugs - push them in all the way.
  
  
• Keep cords out of the working path when mowing or using other tools to avoid accidentally cutting them
  
  
• Match product power needs (on labels and in manuals) to extension cord label information.
  
  
• Never leave an extension cord plugged into an outlet while there is no product plugged into it. Always unplug cords not in use.
  
  
• Never leave extension cords outside in snow or very cold weather for extended periods.
  
  
• Never remove a third prong on a 3-prong plug. Dispose of electric items and extension cords with damaged prongs.
  
  
• Outdoor extension cords come in 25 to 150 foot lengths. Buy the length you need rather than plugging them into each other
  
  
• Unwind cords when using. Do not walk on or cover cords.
  
  

Pools:

• Keep outlets near hot tubs, pools and spas covered and dry between uses. New outlet covers are available that offer weather protection while a plug is inserted into the outlet
  
  
• Hot tubs, pools and spas and plugs near them should be protected by a GFCI. Older swimming pools that pre date the 1970s should be upgraded to add GFCI protection for circuits supplying power to underwater pool lights operating above 15 volts and outlets within 20 feet of the tub.
  
  
• Keep cords and electrical devices away from pools
  
  
• Keep cords and plugs away from wet bathers. Never handle electrical items when you are wet.