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Safety at Home

For us, a good day is one where every employee comes to work safe and healthy and returns home safe and healthy. To do this, and to keep everyone in our communities safe, we need to inspire and motivate our employees to work smart, stay safe, and protect their coworkers and their families every day.

Safety is about people–it’s something that concerns us all. That’s why we encourage our employees to always think safety first, both at work and at home, and take the time to discuss safety with family and friends.

Safety tips for your home

  • If a fuse blows, turn off all appliances and lights on the circuit before changing the fuse.
  • When disconnecting an appliance, pull the plug, not the cord.
  • Keep all cords away from heat and water.
  • If multiple electrical connections are required, use a properly rated power bar.
  • Do not break off or bypass the third prong of a plug. It’s there because it’s needed for safety reasons.
  • Don’t place a cord under a carpet, through a doorway, or anywhere that it could be stepped on.
  • Never remove a plug when your hands are wet or when touching a metal object.
  • Always unplug power tools when they are not in use or when changing an attachment.
  • Do not stand on a damp floor or wet grass when operating power tools.
  • Avoid using power tools anywhere you might touch a grounded object, such as a water faucet.
  • When unplugging a tool, detach the cord from the wall socket first, then from the tool.
  • Do not use a two-pronged extension cord outdoors.
  • Do not attempt to do any wiring in your home. Always call a qualified electrician.

Meter reading safety

To ensure accurate readings, our Meter Readers need safe and clear access to your electricity meter.

  • If you have any trees or shrubs near your meter, make sure they don’t obstruct the view or cause a safety hazard.
  • Dogs can be a safety concern for our Meter Readers. If you have a dog, please keep it away from meter areas, either inside or in a secure kennel.
  • Renovations, such as the addition of a patio or deck, could place the meter in an unsafe location. What might have been free and easy access before may now be a hazard. Let us know about meters that might be located in dangerous or hard to reach areas.
  • If you see a meter with cracked or broken glass, don’t touch it, and warn others to stay away. Call us at 1-888-737-1296 to report the condition.
  • Always feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the safety of the area around your meter.

You’re never too young to learn about safety

Did you know that kids are one of the most likely people to suffer electrical injuries, second only to electricians? In 2008, we published a children’s book on electrical safety because we believe that you’re never too young to learn about the importance of electrical safety. Through this book and other safety initiatives like school visits, we’re hoping to make a positive impact on Newfoundlanders and Labradorians of all ages.

Safety tips for kids

  • Tell your parents about damaged plugs and cords that are broken or have wires showing.
  • Don’t pull on electric cords to unplug them.
  • Never pry toast out of a toaster with a knife or fork.
  • Never put anything but an electrical plug into an electrical outlet.
  • If you are standing in water, never touch electrical devices such as light switches, hair dryers, curling irons, mixers, or toasters.
  • Don’t climb up utility poles or trees near power lines.
  • Keep kites away from power lines, and never fly metallic balloons outside.
  • If you see a fallen power line, stay away!
  • Never go near anything marked Danger, High Voltage, or Keep Out.

Additional information on electrical safety

The safety of our employees and our communities is very important to us. For more information on how to stay safe, consult the following websites or contact us to learn more about our safety programs.