Home Safety

When power lines are down, contact North East Mississippi Electric Power Association (NEMEPA) at (662) 234-6331 / (877) 234-6331 or call 911 immediately.

House Fires
  • In the event of a house fire call 911 immediately and NEMEPA.
  • Assume there is still power at the location.
  • Never remove an electrical meter yourself. Only NEMEPA qualified employees are authorized to remove electric meters.
Power Line Safety Tips

Power lines are the main cause of electrocution, both on the job and at home. If you do any work outdoors, avoiding contact with power lines could save your life.

You don’t have to touch a power line to be in danger. High-voltage electricity can be life-threatening to anyone who gets too close.
Tips when planting trees near power lines. Planting chart. 20-25 feet from line, Small Trees: Flowering Dogwood, Japanese Lilac, Kousa, Dogwood, Ornamental Crabapple, Redbud, Stewartia. 30-35 feet from lines, medium trees: Bradford pear, Carolina Silverbell, Golden Raintree, Ornamental Cherry Saucer Magnolia, Serviceberry, Sourwood, Winter King Hawthorne, Fraser Fir. 40-45 feet from lines, Large Trees: Red Maple, Shagbark Hickory, Lacebark Elm, White Oak, Hemlock, Spruce.

  • Stay at least 10 feet away from power lines and their connections.
  • Call 811 to identify underground power lines before you dig.
  • Never attempt to trim a tree near a power line. Call a professional.
  • Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security because you’re wearing rubber gloves or shoes. These items will not protect you from electrocution from power lines.
Electric Service Safety

Here’s some vital information to help ensure consumers/members are safe around utility poles and power lines.

Downed power line on the ground.
A downed power line may not be a dead line. It could cause serious injury or death.
  • Never touch any fallen wire. If you see a downed power line, immediately call NEMEPA or 911.
  • Consider every wire on the ground to be energized and dangerous. Never touch fallen power lines, even if there are no sparks. Only qualified electric utility workers, like those at NEMEPA, should attempt to move downed power lines.
  • Never touch downed power lines with other objects, such as brooms, boards, limbs, or plastic materials.
  • Never touch anything (cars, fences, people, etc.) that is in contact with a power line. Call NEMEPA or 911.
  • If you see downed lines and the ground is wet or has standing water, do not go outside. Call NEMEPA or 911.
  • Don’t touch anything, people included, that has come in contact with power lines. Don’t attempt to move the line. Keep others away. Call 911 or NEMEPA.
  • Most people do not know the difference between telephone lines and power lines. To be safe, stay away from both.
  • Never drive over downed power lines. Even if they’re not energized, they can get tangled in your vehicle.

If anyone in your household suffers an electric shock, call 911 or your local emergency medical service immediately. Even minor shocks can cause life-threatening conditions hours later, so it is important to seek medical attention.

Electrical Safety

Safety begins with proper wiring. Follow these electric safety tips.

An infant touching the wall near an electrical outlet.
Open electrical outlets can be dangerous for infants and toddlers. Pick up some safety plugs at your local store. They’re inexpensive and can be installed in seconds.
  • Qualified electricians should install and check wiring.
  • Homes should be 100-amps; 200+-amps for homes heated electrically.
  • Electric appliances should have three-prong plugs.
  • Keep cords away from heat and water.
  • Never wrap cords around metal. Keep them away from foot traffic.
  • Weatherproof outdoor electric outlets.
  • Major electric appliances should have their own circuits.
  • Never use appliances when you are wet or on a wet surface.
  • Never use electric tools/appliances outdoors if it is raining or wet.
  • Always use moisture-resistant appliance cords outside.
  • Use power tools with durable, grounded, or double insulated cords.
  • Never operate an electric lawnmower in wet grass.
  • Teach your children not to fly kites near power lines.
  • Never touch fallen electric wires. They may be energized.
  • Never enter a power substation.
  • Ground antennas. Install antenna (2x) its height from power lines.
  • Never use any type of metal equipment near power lines.
  • Show your family where the main fuse/circuit breaker is located.
  • Inspect cords. Immediately replace, not patch, damaged ones.
  • Never pull a plug from a wall outlet by the cord. Grasp the plug.
  • Unplug irons and heat appliances when they are not in use.
  • Plug power tools or heavy appliances into wall outlets only.
Outage Safety

Lightning in the sky above trees.Be very careful around all electrical wires and equipment. If you have any doubts about your home electrical system or are unsure of how to proceed, call a professional, licensed electrician.

Lightning can enter your home through a direct strike, through wires or pipes, and through the ground. During a thunderstorm, don’t touch electrical equipment or cords, such as a corded phone, computer, stove, TV, or microwave. Postpone your bath or shower to avoid contact with plumbing. And stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.

Generator Safety

If you plan to use a portable generator, here are some important safety precautions.

Extension cord hanging from wall.
Don’t forget to unplug extension cords. Before you store an extension cord, examine it for nicks, abrasions, frayed ends, and other damage. Discard a damaged cord to prevent electrical shock.
  • First, locate your generator in a well-ventilated area. Never run it inside, even in your garage. Gasoline-powered generators produce carbon monoxide and the fumes can be deadly.
  • Second, plug appliances directly into the generator using heavy-duty, properly grounded extension cords. Make sure that extension cords are not frayed or worn. Do not connect your power generator directly to your home’s main fuse box or circuit panel. Limit the number of appliances you use to no more than the recommended wattage of the generator.
  • Read all instructions carefully and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Use the generator only when necessary, and don’t overload it. Turn it off at night while you sleep and when you are away from home, to avoid a possible fire hazard.

For your safety, the safety of neighbors, and the safety of North East Mississippi Electric Power Association employees working to restore electricity, do not attempt to connect your generator to your home wiring.

If you have any doubts about how to properly use a portable electric generator, contact the manufacturer or a licensed electrician for assistance.

Safety Websites
  • Electrical Safety Foundation International [ESFI] — ESFI is an organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety in the home, school, and workplace. Whether you’re a consumer looking for ways to ensure safety in your home, a teacher in search of educational tools, an industry professional working to create a safe working environment, or a public service professional looking to raise safety awareness, ESFI’s website offers the resources you need. Visit the ESFI website.
  • Energy Education Council [EEC] — The Energy Education Council (EEC) is an internationally recognized leader in providing a wealth of safety, efficiency, and renewable energy information. EEC was created and is supported by a diverse group of organizations united by mutually important consumer issues. Our mission is to provide life-saving, energy-saving, and cost-saving information and resources. Visit the EEC website.
  • Visit the Safe Electricity website.

For any safety questions or concerns, contact NEMEPA at (662) 234-6331 / (877) 234-6331 or call 911 immediately.