Electrical Safety

Learn essential electrical safety tips from Bartlett Electric Cooperative to help protect your home, workplace, and family.

Understand common electrical hazards, prevention steps, and best practices for safely using equipment, responding to power outages, and handling emergency situations.

Stay informed and promote safe energy use to protect yourself and the communities we serve.

Although electricity is essential, improper use can lead to serious injury or property damage. Each year in the United States, thousands of incidents occur due to electrical hazards.

Understanding how to recognize risks and respond safely can help prevent accidents. Bartlett Electric Cooperative provides the following safety tips to help protect you, your family, and the communities we serve.

Knowing how to respond to an electrical emergency can help protect you and your family. Follow these safety guidelines in common situations involving electrical hazards.

Electrical Fires

Use only fire extinguishers rated for electrical fires (Class C, BC, or ABC).
Never use water on an electrical fire.

If Someone Is Being Shocked

Turn off the power at the circuit breaker immediately, if possible.
Do not touch the person until the power source has been disconnected.
Do not attempt to move wires or equipment with objects.
After the person is no longer in contact with electricity, call for help and begin CPR if needed.

Contact with Overhead Power Lines

If equipment becomes entangled with power lines, stay inside the vehicle or machinery.
Wait for trained utility personnel to respond.
If you must exit due to fire, jump clear with both feet together and avoid touching the ground and equipment at the same time.

Fallen Power Lines

If a power line falls on your vehicle, stay inside and wait for help.
If you must exit due to fire, jump clear without touching the vehicle and ground at the same time.
Stay far away from downed lines and call Bartlett Electric Cooperative for assistance.

Help protect your home and family by following these simple indoor electrical safety tips.

Keeping Children Safe

Store food and objects away from stovetops to prevent children from reaching hot surfaces.
Remove stove knobs when not in use and cook on back burners when possible.
Turn pot handles inward to prevent spills and burns.
Keep children away from cooking areas and teach them not to touch appliances.
Unplug small appliances when not in use.
Load and unload dishwashers when children are not nearby.
Lock trash compactors and utility rooms when possible.
Install night lights with enclosed bulbs in bathrooms.
Teach children about the dangers of electricity and water.
Lower water heater temperature to 120°F for safety.
Unplug power tools and secure unused appliances.
Lock unused refrigerators and freezers to prevent accidents.

Lightning and Surge Protection

Use surge protectors to protect electronics such as computers and office equipment.
Whole-house surge protectors can help protect appliances connected to your electrical system.
Choose surge protectors with a UL rating and indicator light showing proper operation.

Household Wiring Safety

Frequent breaker trips may indicate an electrical issue.
Dimming lights or slow-running appliances can signal wiring problems.
Older homes may need electrical upgrades for safety and efficiency.
Contact a licensed electrician if you notice signs of electrical problems.

Outlet and Extension Cord Safety

Use extension cords temporarily and follow all product guidelines.
Cover unused outlets to protect children.
Unplug appliances if you notice sparks, smoke, or unusual odors.
Inspect cords regularly for wear or damage.
Do not use extension cords as a permanent wiring solution.
Do not run cords under rugs or attach them with nails or staples.
Avoid overloading cords or placing them near heat sources.

Follow these general electrical safety tips to help protect your home, family, and property from electrical hazards.

Outdoor and Equipment Safety

Stay away from green metal utility boxes located in yards or near buildings.
Use tools and appliances that are rated for outdoor use and keep all electrical equipment away from water.
Avoid water, trees, and power lines during storms.
Never build structures or install pools under power lines.

Trees, Antennas, and Power Lines

Do not trim trees near power lines. Contact Bartlett Electric Cooperative or a qualified professional.
Do not plant trees under power lines, as they will grow into utility lines over time.
Use caution when installing or removing antennas or satellite dishes near power lines.
If a kite becomes caught in a power line, release it immediately and contact the cooperative.

Children and Property Safety

Keep children and pets away from substations and utility equipment.
If an object lands inside utility equipment, call Bartlett Electric Cooperative at (254) 527-3551 for assistance.

Electric Grill Safety

Read manufacturer instructions before using an electric grill.
Clean the grill and inspect for damage before use.
Keep grills away from water and damp areas.
Do not leave a hot grill unattended.
Keep grills out of reach of children and away from play areas.
Use only outdoor-rated extension cords when needed.
Unplug the grill when not in use.
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby when grilling.

Power surges caused by lightning can damage electronics and appliances in your home. Taking the right precautions can help protect your equipment and reduce repair or replacement costs.

Use surge protectors to safeguard electronics such as computers, televisions, and office equipment.
Choose surge protectors with a UL rating and an indicator light to show they are working properly.
Consider installing a whole-house surge protector at your main electrical panel for added protection.
Unplug sensitive electronics and appliances during severe storms when possible.
Avoid using electrical devices, corded phones, or plumbing during lightning storms.

Wildfire risk increases during hot, dry, and windy conditions. BEC helps reduce wildfire risk through vegetation management, infrastructure inspections, and ongoing system maintenance. Members can help protect their homes and communities by taking simple preparedness measures.

Protect Your Property

Wildfires can occur year-round, especially during periods of hot, dry, and windy weather. BEC helps reduce wildfire risk through equipment inspections, vegetation management, and right-of-way maintenance. Members can also help protect their homes, property, and communities by taking simple preparedness measures.

Protect Your Property

Remove dry vegetation, leaves, and debris near structures.
Keep grass trimmed and maintain defensible space around your home.
Reduce overgrown brush and other combustible vegetation.

Practice Outdoor Fire Safety

Check local burn bans and fire restrictions before outdoor activities.
Keep grills, campfires, fireworks, and other ignition sources away from dry vegetation.
Keep water nearby and fully extinguish fires and coals after use.

Be Prepared

Build an emergency kit with medications, important documents, and household essentials.
Identify multiple evacuation routes from your property.
Stay informed through local emergency alerts and BEC outage notifications.

Vegetation Management

Plant the right tree in the right place by considering a tree's mature size before planting.
Avoid planting trees directly beneath overhead power lines.
Maintain safe clearances around utility lines and equipment.
Contact BEC if vegetation near utility infrastructure creates a safety concern.

How BEC Helps Reduce Wildfire Risk

Inspecting poles, equipment, and overhead infrastructure.
Managing vegetation along rights-of-way.
Maintaining safe clearances around utility facilities.
Responding to vegetation concerns that may impact safety or reliability.

Before starting any home improvement or digging project, Texas law requires you to call 811 at least two business days in advance if you plan to dig deeper than 16 inches with mechanical equipment.

Calling 811 notifies local utilities, who will locate and mark underground electric, gas, and communication lines at no cost. This helps prevent injuries, equipment damage, and service interruptions.

Follow These Steps to Stay Safe

Call 811 Before You Dig: Dial 811 or visit the website to submit your request. Lines are open 24/7. Be prepared to provide details about your project, including location, depth, and duration. Keep your reference number for future use.
Wait Two Business Days: Allow time for utility companies to locate and mark underground lines before starting your project.
Watch for Markings: Utilities will mark underground lines using flags, paint, or stakes. Standard color codes include:
- Red – Electric lines
- Yellow – Gas lines
- Orange – Communication lines
- Green – Sewer and drain lines
Dig Carefully: Use safe digging practices and hand-dig within two feet of marked lines. Keep markings visible throughout the project.
Request Re-Marking if Needed: If markings are faded, removed, or unclear, contact 811 to have the lines marked again before continuing.

Note: Some local water and sewer systems may not be included in the 811 system. Contact them directly to verify underground locations.

Electrical Safety Quiz

Test your knowledge and learn if you’re using electricity safely.

Electrical Accidents: What Should You Do?

Indoor Safety

Outdoor Safety

Lightning Protection

Wildfire Safety & Preparedness

Call Before You Dig!

Electrical Safety Quiz

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