Company dispels common myths about electricity

Jackson, Miss. – With the approach of summer, more of us are finding ourselves outdoors, enjoying the weather or perhaps working in the yard.

But because being outside can bring you closer to power lines and electric power tools, Entergy Mississippi, Inc. wants to dispel some common myths about electricity. The company also wants to remind you of the importance of keeping your distance from power lines.

Overhead power lines aren’t insulated and can carry thousands of volts of electricity. That electricity wants to take the easiest path to the ground and will look for shortcuts wherever it can. If you touch a power line with your body, or an object you are holding such as a tree limb, paint roller or ladder, you will provide an instant path for electricity and can be seriously hurt or even killed.

“The safest thing is to assume that all power lines have electricity running through them, even if they don’t spark or hum,” said Gloria Johnson, director of customer service for Entergy Mississippi, Inc. “If you see a downed power line or see an underground power line, your best bet is to stay very far away and call 1-800-ENTERGY.”

Separating Fact from Fiction

A handful of myths have sprung up around electricity and how to deal with it. However, not all of the commonly accepted “truths” are actually true.

Fiction: Rubber boots, gloves or tires will protect you.

Fact: Rubber offers little protection against the voltages found in power lines. In fact, the rubber in gloves and boots can catch on fire. Some rubber tires can actually conduct electricity, especially those made with carbon-based rubber or steel belts.

Fiction: Double insulated power tools are safe to use in wet conditions.

Fact: No power tool is safe to use in wet conditions.

Fiction: Wood doesn’t conduct electricity. Wooden ladders and tool handles also deter the flow of electricity.

Fact: Wood can and does conduct electricity – even if it appears dry, most trees are damp with sap. In addition, tree trimming can be dangerous. You can accidentally touch a line with a saw or your hand. If you are on a ladder or the tree is wet, you run the risk of a deadly electrical shock.

Fiction: If a downed power line isn’t producing sparks, then there is no electricity flowing.

Fact: If a power line falls, it can still be energized even though it isn’t making noise or sparks.

Even the smallest amount of electricity can cause injury or death. The amount of electricity used by a 7.5 watt bulb (like the ones used in outdoor holiday lighting) can be fatal if it passes through your chest. Even if the shock doesn’t kill you, the electrical current can cause burns, cuts or internal bleeding. The shock from a 100-watt light bulb or a 1,000-watt hair dryer would probably be fatal.

“The only real truth is that power lines and electricity are extremely dangerous,” Johnson said. “When it comes to electricity, it is better to be safe than sorry.”

Water and Electricity Don’t Mix

Water is an excellent conductor of electricity, which is why it is so dangerous. Simply put, water and electricity don’t mix. Water can conduct electricity from a faulty wire or appliance. It is important to keep electrical appliances, radios and toys away from water. And if you are wet, standing in water or have wet hands, never touch electric cords, switches or appliances.

Power Tool Safety

It is also important to practice safe habits when using electric power tools. If you plug a power tool into an electrical outlet outside, make sure the outlet has a ground fault circuit interrupter. You can recognize a GFCI outlet by the “test” and “reset” buttons located on them. They can prevent serious shock by sensing imbalances in a circuit caused by leaking electrical current. Once an imbalance is detected, a GFCI outlet shuts off electricity instantly. If your home doesn’t already have GFCI outlets, they can be installed by a licensed electrician. Tools that you use outside should have heavier wiring, a three-way grounded plug and double insulation.

“Electricity brings a lot of value and benefits to our lives, but it is important to remember that it can be dangerous, as well,” Johnson said. “But staying away from power lines and recognizing hazards can help keep us all safe.”

For more information about electricity safety, visit entergy-mississippi.com/your_home and click on the Electrical and Gas Safety link.

Entergy Mississippi, Inc. provides electricity to more than 435,000 customers in 45 counties. It is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

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