Uniondale, NY - May 8, 2018 - Safety is PSEG Long Island’s top priority. In recognition of National Electrical Safety Month, PSEG Long Island reminds customers to avoid electrical safety hazards.
During the week of May 20, PSEG Long Island will host events to educate children on the dangers of electricity and the benefits of a career in electrical work.
“Electrical Safety Month is a great opportunity to teach our youngest customers how to stay safe around electricity and electrical equipment and present high schoolers with an opportunity to learn about a career in electrical work,” said Rick Walden, vice president, customer services, PSEG Long Island. “We look forward to meeting our young guests and providing them with a memorable experience.”
On May 24, PSEG Long Island and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1049 will demonstrate the hazards of electricity and electrical equipment to more than 100 students from Nassau County Boces and the Westbury School District. There will be several stations at the event, including electric safety demonstrations, a demonstration of a pole top rescue, videos on how power is generated, touch-a-truck and more.
Throughout the week, PSEG Long Island employees will be presenting age appropriate electrical safety demonstrations at several schools to help teach children the dangers of electricity and how to be safe around it. Employees will bring PSEG Long Island’s Electric Safety Town to classrooms or present the PSEG Sesame Workshop Let’s Get Ready: Planning Together for Emergencies, and Here For Each Other: Helping Families After Emergencies, free emergency preparedness and response initiatives to ensure all members of the family know and plan for what to do in an emergency.
Electricity is essential to modern life, yet it can sometimes be taken for granted. Below are some practical tips to help customers stay safe,
- Do not handle electric appliances with wet or damp hands, and never use electric appliances in wet or damp conditions, unless the appliances are specifically rated for that use.
- If there are small children or pets around, make sure unused wall outlets have safety coverings. All outlets within reach should be protected with plastic closures that fit snugly and cannot be removed easily.
- Inspect all appliances and extension cords regularly to ensure that they are in good condition. Cords should not be frayed or damaged. Ensure that cords don’t run under rugs or have furniture resting on them.
- Never pour water on an electric fire, as water acts as a conductor and can cause shock. A fire extinguisher that is rated as Class C should be used for electric fires.
- Locate smoke detectors on the ceiling away from air vents and near bedrooms. Test smoke detector every few months to ensure they’re working and change the batteries every spring and fall when the clocks change.
- Never touch a downed wire or go near one. Always assume the power line is live and call PSEG Long Island at 800-490-0075 to report downed wires.
The safety of PSEG Long Island’s employees and customers is always the top priority. The utility is excited to continue these presentations to children. For information on having a presenter speak at your school, camp or event, please complete the Community Partnership Program request form on PSEG Long Island’s website at https://www.psegliny.com/page.cfm/Community or send a request to CommunityLI@pseg.com.
PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system under a 12-year contract. PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company with annual revenues of $9.1 billion.