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Electrical Safety Education

High Voltage Safety Demonstrations

When time allows, we’re proud to offer engaging high-voltage safety demonstrations for schools, first responders, and community organizations, 

We love sharing our expertise with the community. But because our first priority is keeping the lights on, these opportunities depend on staff time, scheduling availability, and fit for the audience.

If your group is interested, fill out the form below and a member of our team will connect with you to explore what’s possible.

Learn More & Request a DEMO

Additional resources courtesy of the Electrical Safety Foundation and National Fire Protection Association.

Home Safety

It was exciting when Ben Franklin flew his kite and key into a lightning storm, but definitely dangerous. In the century since electricity has become ubiquitous in America, it’s also much safer for us to harness and use it. But it still comes with real risk. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, home electrical fires and accidents critically injure thousands of people in the United States and cause more than $1.3 billion in property damage each year. In our modern world, you have the power to protect your family and your home from electrical accidents.

Here's what you can do:

Workplace Safety

Electricity is essential to our economy and our workplaces, but it’s not without risk to employees. Adults are more likely to experience electrical accidents and injuries at work than at home. Certain professional environments come with greater risk. Often, it’s lack of awareness or training that leads to harm. Prevention really is the best medicine.

Here's what you can do:

Severe Weather Safety

Colorado’s storms are as magnificent as her mountains—and deserve as much respect. Severe storms and their aftermath can trigger fires, flooding, mudslides, and power outages. The resulting electrical hazards can cause serious injury or even death. Every season has its scourge, from ice to wind to water to lightning. Like venturing into our mountains, a good offense is the best defense.

Here's what you can do:

  • Have a backup generator or battery source, such as a Tesla Powerwall installed and charged for emergencies. Many of the fatalities associated with generator use happen during or just after storms, so know the safety protocols for use before, during, and after severe weather conditions. Safe use saves lives.

  • Make sure your generator has a transfer switch to prevent backfeeding. Backfeeding can be deadly, including harming utility workers making repairs. Transfer switches keep everyone safe, plus they can prevent electrical fires caused by short circuits and improper connections. 

  • Lightning is exciting—and can be deadly. And not just on mountaintops: 1/3 of lightning-related injuries happen inside your home. A few simple lightning precautions make a world of difference in how you fare when the sky comes alive in bolts and jolts.

  •  Whether sparked by nature or humans or both, fires are no stranger in Colorado. Summer storms may ignite wildfire, but luminant human holidays such as Fourth of July, Halloween and Christmas can kindle home fires. Fire can cause real and far-reaching devastation, so stay safe with fire preparedness and risk management awareness.

  • Floods cause more deaths each year than any other severe weather-related hazard and they can happen anywhere. Water and electricity are a recipe for disaster so reduce your risks with proven flood safety protocols.

  • Winter storms can spark electrical hazards. Safely navigate downed power lines, portable generators, and supplemental heat sources with these winter storm safety tips.

  • Storms can cause electric voltage to drop from its usual level. These voltage drops, called brownouts, can damage your home’s electronics, including unexpected electronic failure in the future. A sustained brownout could damage electronic motors in washing machines, dryers, fans, air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers. Protect your electronics from brownouts with uninterruptible power supplies, energy storage systems, smart meters, generators and surge protectors. 

more Info: Be wildfire ready

Kids Safety

You want to spark your kid’s curiosity—just not literally. Most electrical injuries in children 12 and under are caused by low-voltage electricity delivered through household appliance electrical cords, extension cords, and wall outlets. A few precautions coupled with basic electrical education help keep kids safe from electrical accidents without quelling their curiosity.

Here's what you can do:

Additional resources courtesy of the Electrical Safety Foundation.

Overhead Power Line Safety

Working on roofs, installing gutters, painting exteriors, or hanging holiday lights can put you dangerously close to energized power lines. Keep yourself and your crew safe by following these tips to avoid potentially deadly electrical contact.

Here's what you can do:

Before starting any job, take a moment to look around your work area. Identify any overhead power lines, poles, or guy wires, and make sure everyone on your crew knows where they are.

Always check for power lines before raising ladders, tools, or materials, and when setting up or moving scaffolding.

Stay at least 20 feet away:

Stay at least 20 feet away from overhead power lines carrying up to 50 kV. Higher voltages require even more distance.

  • Before starting work, call us to verify line voltage and safe clearance requirements at osha.gov
  • If work must be done closer than the required distance, contact us well in advance to make safety arrangements
  • Carry ladders, pipes, and long-handled tools horizontally, never upright
  • Remember—wind, shifting loads, or uneven ground can cause tools or equipment to move unexpectedly
  • Maintain your clearance plus a safety buffer
If contact happens:

If your equipment touches a power line or causes one to fall:

  • Stop work immediately
  • Assume all lines are energized – do not approach or touch
  • Keep yourself and others far away
  • Call 911 and HCE right away (or your local utility if not in our territory)
In case of a downed line:
  • Always assume a downed line is energized and deadly
  • Keep at least 35 feet away from downed distribution lines and 100 feet from transmission lines
  • Loudly tell others to stay away
If a line falls onto a vehicle or equipment:
IMPORTANT!
  • Stay inside until emergency personnel or utility representatives say it’s safe to exit
  • If you must leave your vehicle because it’s on fire, bunny hop out of the vehicle with both feet together and avoid making contact with the energized vehicle and the ground at the same time
  • If you’re unable to hop, shuffle away from the vehicle by never letter your feet leave contact with the ground, in a direction away from all wires and equipment