August 3, 2022

Electricity can have life-threatening consequences if not treated with respect. To help educate the public about the hidden dangers of electricity, the company created a series of short video segments featuring Max Safety – FirstEnergy’s Stop. Look. Live. campaign spokesperson – and highlighting 10 tips that can keep you and your family safe. Each segment will be posted on FirstEnergy’s YouTube channel and on our operating companies Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. (Watch a video of all 10 tips on the Public Safety Outreach SharePoint page.)

1. Don’t touch or go near downed power lines. Just because they’re down doesn’t mean they’re deenergized. Stay at least 30 feet away from downed power lines and anything they might be touching and call 911 immediately.
2. Never make contact with overhead lines. Always be aware of your surroundings and make sure any objects you are holding do not touch or even come close to an overhead line.
3. Electricity and water do not mix. Most accidents around the house happen when people use electricity near water. Using or charging electrical devices near water can be deadly – even if they’re waterproof. Keep all electrical devices far away from water sources in your home, as well.
4. Never touch the wires leading to your home. If you need to work around these lines – like when you’re cleaning the gutters, painting or hanging holiday lights – just call us. FirstEnergy can temporarily disconnect your service.
5. Buried utility lines can be a hazard. If you need to dig for any reason, call 811* first. Within three business days, someone will come to locate your underground lines for free.
6. Teach your kids about electrical safety. Appliances, cords and outlets are not toys, so make sure your kids know how to use them safely. You can also cover outlets and make sure cords are not damaged or frayed.
7. Stay away from electrical equipment like substations, pad-mounted transformers, power poles and guy wires. This equipment is energized or could become energized.
8. Never fly drones, kites or other objects near power lines. They could damage the lines or become tangled and create a potentially dangerous or even deadly situation. Never attempt to retrieve any object near electrical lines or equipment.
9. Don’t overload electrical outlets. Components in an electrical unit can only carry so much electricity, so plugging in too many devices could cause an electrical fire.
10. If a person or pet comes in contact with electricity, call 911 immediately. For your safety, stay away and keep others away while you wait for help.

Help us keep people safe by sharing this information with your friends and loved ones. For more electrical safety tips, visit www.firstenergycorp.com/publicsafety.

Max Safety Wants Everyone to Stop. Look. Live. If you are unsure whether an activity poses a safety risk, you should: STOP what you’re doing to consider your personal safety before working or playing around power lines or electrical equipment. LOOK around for potential hazards and ways you might come into contact with electrical equipment and identify a way to avoid the hazard. LIVE and prevent serious injury or death by taking precautions to avoid accidental contact with electrical equipment. There is nothing more important than your safety.

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