Storm Season Safety

Spring and summer in Oklahoma often brings storms - and with them, lightning, wind and hail. There are safety measures to follow when summer storms occur and basic steps to follow if electric lines are affected by stormy weather.

Lightning -

Lightning kills nearly one hundred people every year in the United States and injures hundreds of others. When you first notice an upcoming storm, remember that lightning usually precedes rain. Go to the nearest building or car and stay inside until the storm has passed. Do not wait until the storm begins to take cover. Protect yourself and your family by moving to a safe place. Stay in the safe place until signs of lightning and thunder have been past for thirty minutes.

Outdoors -

• Avoid water
  Immediately get out and away from pools, lakes, and other bodies of water
• Avoid high ground
  A 'tall' object is relative – it can be a tall tree, a home, or a child standing on a soccer field if nothing else nearby is taller. Lightning can strike any object in its path
• Avoid metal objects
  These can include electric wires, fences, machinery, motors, power tools, etc.
• Never use a tree as a shelter.
  Other unsafe places include underneath canopies, small picnic or rain shelters. Look for a shelter equipped with a lightning protection system like those found at golf courses, public parks and pools. Where possible, find shelter in a substantial building or in a fully enclosed metal vehicle such as a hard topped car, truck or a van with the windows completely shut.
• Avoid proximity
  Don't stand in large groups of people - spread out. Try to be at least 15 feet apart.
• Suspend outside activities for at least 30 minutes after the last of the thunder and lightning
• A person who is struck by lightning does not carry an electrical charge and can be handled safely. Apply First Aid procedures (CPR) to a lightning victim if you are qualified to do so. Call 911 or send for help immediately.

Indoors -

• Stay away from doors and windows.
• Do not use the telephone except for emergencies
• Take off head sets and headphones
• Turn off, unplug, and stay away from appliances, computers, power tools, & TV sets. Lightning may strike exterior electric and phone lines, inducing shocks to inside equipment.
• nplug appliances well before a storm nears - never during the storm
• Home piping may cause shock so avoid sinks and faucets

Don't hesitate to call Stillwater Electric Utility if you have questions or are unsure about how to handle a situation.

After a Severe Storm -

If you have overhead electric lines, they may be damaged from falling tree limbs. After the storm passes, visually inspect the wire from the house back to the power pole. Look at the meter and equipment mounted on the house. DO NOT TOUCH ANY LOW HANGING WIRES OR THE SERVICE!

If the electric meter, or equipment connected to it, is pulled from your house, bent, or damaged, then it will need to be checked by an electrician. Please call your electrician and have it checked as soon as possible.

If there are branches hanging from the power line between your house and the pole, you are responsible for having a tree trimming company remove them. Please contact a tree trimmer as soon as possible to have them cleared.

If the service wire is hanging low or on the ground, or you are without power, call Stillwater Electric Utility at 372-3292 to report your problem.

Please be aware that due to safety code requirements, and to insure safety of your home, if the service equipment is damaged or the electric line is low (or on the ground), Stillwater Electric Utility may have to disconnect electric service to the residence until an electrician makes repairs.

We hope this years severe storms pass us by without causing damage. Awareness of eletric safety will help keep you and your family safe.