Electricity is more than the power that lights homes and operates major appliances - it is a potentially dangerous force that can cause injury and death if handled improperly. Knowing how to play it safe around electricity inside and out can prevent accidents and fatalities. 
Electrical energy constantly seeks a path to ground.  If you touch an uninsulated line with an object or your body, you become this path.  The result can be severe injury or death.  When you are working around electric overhead lines, follow these rules:

  Watch where you are going.

  Stay clear.

  Don't touch.

Keep all machinery, equipment, materials, scaffolding, tools, boat masts, fruit-picking poles, antennas, satellite dishes, pool skimmer handles, metal ladders and people at least 10 feet away from the lines.  If it looks like they'll be in your way, call us (1-970-249-4572 or 1-970-874-8081).  Depending on the nature of your job, we may be able  to turn off the electricity, cover the lines, or even move them while you complete your work.

Do NOT remove anything caught in electric lines...not animals, tree limbs or kites.  Instead, call 1-970-249-4572 or 1-970-874-8081.

Fallen power lines can be extremely dangerous.  NEVER touch a downed power line OR anyone who is in contact with it.  Stay away from a vehicle if a power line is touching it.  Be especially cautious at the scene of any accident.  If a power line touches your vehicle, stay inside and warn others to stay away and have them call DMEA at 1-970-249-4572 or 1-970-874-8081.  If you MUST get out of the vehicle for safety reasons, jump clear.  Do not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time.

Never cut tree limbs that are touching power lines or that could fall into power lines after they are cut.  Whenever there is doubt or uncertainty as to whether or not trees can or should be trimmed away from electric wires, please call us.  Again, the number to call is 1-970-249-4572 or 1-970-874-8081.

Always keep electrical toys, electrical appliances (hedge trimmers, leaf blowers,) grills, and other items clear of any water including swimming pools, fish ponds, rain, sprinklers, ditches and hoses. Remember that water and electricity are a dangerous combination.

Always supervise children when they are flying kites.  Kites should be flown in open fields, away from overhead power lines.  If a kite becomes tangled in a power line or electrical equipment, let it go.  Do not try to retrieve  the kite!  Do not touch the tail, string or any part of the kite.  In addition, take particular care to keep mylar kites and mylar helium balloons away from power lines.  Because mylar is a good conductor of electricity, these metallic kites and balloons can cause personal injury or interruptions in electrical service.  The same safety rules apply when flying model airplanes or any other toy that takes to the air.

Hazards that you don't see, like underground electric lines, are easy to ignore or forget.  Digging, drilling or blasting can damage these underground lines and cause electrocution or fire.  To avoid accidents or incidents, call 8-1-1 or 1-800-922-1987 (Utility Notification Center of Colorado).  There is no charge for this service but all locates must be called in a minimum of three business days before digging begins.

Inside the house, maintain electrical safety at all times. Never put anything other than an electric plug into an electric socket. Do not put fingers, pencils, or any objects into any outlet at any time and make sure  that children do not do this. Safety caps available at any discount, drug, or grocery store can be placed in unused outlets for safety. 

Remove plugs from outlets by grasping the plug and not the cord. Tugging or pulling electrical cords can damage the cords and create a potential safety hazard. 

Never use any electrical appliance or device when wet, with wet hands or when standing in water. 

Keep fire extinguishers throughout the home and make sure that at least one of them is rated for electrical fires. Never attempt to put out an electrical fire with water. 

In the event of electrical shock, do not attempt to provide first aid but call 9-1-1 for professional medical help immediately.