Don’t be ‘shocked’: May is National Electric Safety Month

CO-OP HIGHLIGHTS:

• May is National Electric Safety Month. Electrical accidents cause nearly 4,000 injuries every year in the U.S. – and most are preventable.

• Oklahoma’s 30 electric cooperatives are fully committed to the safety of their employees and the more than 1.1 million Oklahomans they serve.

• ‘Wired Up for Safety’ is a cooperative statewide campaign that includes public awareness safety events across the state as well as safety education to first responders, educators, school-aged children and the general public.

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Consumer-owned electric cooperatives prioritize electric safety. In honor of National Electric Safety Month, Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives have teamed up to elevate the important message of safety around electricity.

Electricity is a powerful force. If not used correctly, it can be life threatening. The Electrical Safety Foundation reports contact with overhead powerlines account for 45% of fatalities. The reality of life-altering injuries or ultimate death should never be ignored.

At least nine electric cooperatives across the state are hosting public awareness safety events in the month of May. Some events are specifically tailored to first responders while others target educators and school-aged children.

Attendees will witness high-voltage live line demos and fire simulations and will see firsthand the dangers of electricity including overloading circuits and improper wiring. They will learn how to navigate fires and downed power lines as well as conduct drills with first responders about live wire danger and how to survive an accident if a power line falls on a vehicle.

Co-ops throughout the state are deploying a weekly email campaign targeting first responders and members; the messages contain videos and important safety education content.

“These events are not just about watts and volts. Through engaging demonstrations and practical advice, we aim to empower communities with the tools needed to recognize and mitigate electrical hazards,” says Chris Meyers, general manager of the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives.  “Our co-ops care about the communities they serve. This campaign is a testament to their genuine commitment to keep employees and the public safe.”

View a listing of co-op public awareness safety events covering every region in the state:

https://www.okl.coop/cooperatives/wired-up-for-safety/

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About OAEC: The Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC) is a statewide association created and voluntarily supported by local electric distribution and generation & transmission cooperatives. OAEC is comprised of 30 member systems: 27 distribution electric cooperatives (two of which are headquartered in Arkansas) and 3 generation & transmission electric cooperatives (one of which is headquartered in Texas). Learn more at oaec.coop

Contact:

Anna Politano, Director of Public Relations & Communications, Okla. Assn. of Electric Co-ops

Phone: 405-761-0289

E-mail: apolitano@oaec.coop