Hazardous Conditions
A hazardous condition is any abnormal condition relating to an electrical service. This may include:
- Damaged meters
- Low-hanging or frayed wires
- Wires entangled in tree branches
- Wires located over swimming pools
In order to ensure safety and prevent injuries or further damage to equipment, please report any questionable or hazardous conditions immediately by calling Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC) at (218) 927-2191.
Downed Power Lines
If you see a power line down or low to the ground, do not assume that it is insulated or no longer energized.
Follow these guidelines in the case of a downed power line:
- Stay away from the line and secure the area to keep others away. A live wire touching the ground can cause electricity to travel through the ground for vast distances.
- Consider all wires energized and dangerous. Even lines that are de-energized could become energized at any time.
- Do not drive over downed power lines, as they can become tangled in the axles or wheels.
- Do not attempt to remove a tree limb or other objects from a power line. Electricity can travel through limbs, especially when they are wet.
- If a broken power line falls on your vehicle, it’s safer to stay inside the vehicle. Use your cell phone to call for help. Only attempt to leave the vehicle if your life is threatened. If you must leave the vehicle, jump clear of the vehicle, landing with both feet together, and hop or shuffle to a safe distance. It is important that you do not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time, as this can be used as a path for electricity to travel to the ground.
Generator Safety
Portable generators are often used for a backup power supply in the event of an emergency power outage. Improper use or installation of an electric generator can cause property damage, serious injury, or even death.
Please keep the following safety and installation guidelines in mind when installing or using a home generator.
Generator Installation
When considering the purchase of a generator, it’s a good idea to have an electrician evaluate a home’s electrical system for proper grounding and polarity, and then install a generator transfer switch. The homeowner connects the generator to the transfer switch. From there, the generator’s power is fed into the service panel and to the dedicated circuits that have been specifically wired to be powered by the generator. The transfer switch also prevents electricity from feeding back into the electrical grid that powers your neighborhood. This protects utility workers from encountering unexpected currents coming from your house – a dangerous condition known as backfeed. In addition, back feed could severely overload the generator and damage the unit.
Generator Guidelines
- Generators, disconnects, and transfer switches must be installed by a qualified electrical contractor.
- Do not attempt to install these devices on your electrical panel on your own. It is extremely dangerous.
- Check and follow national, state, and local fire and electric codes.
Safety Concerns
- Always make sure electricity is properly disconnected from your utility service before starting your backup generator.
- Many engine parts are hot during operation. Severe burns may result if touched.
- Never run a generator inside a building, especially in a building attached to a dwelling. This is against all fire and safety codes.
- Generators produce carbon monoxide (CO). Always ensure proper ventilation and airflow around the generator. Never operate a generator in an enclosed compartment.
- Never fuel the generator when it is running.
- Always have a fully-charged and approved fire extinguisher located near the generator.
- Never try to repair a generator. Only qualified service technicians should perform repairs.
- To prevent electrical shock, support the generator cords off the ground or relocate them, rather than allowing them to lie in puddles. Likewise, replace any cords with damaged insulation.
Safety Demonstrations
Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative believes in safety. The goal of saving lives and reducing preventable power outages helped develop a high-voltage safety demonstration trailer.
This creative program is designed to teach children and adults in your community the potential dangers of contacting a power line. What a great way to get people together to learn valuable information that may save a life! We’ll teach electrical safety habits, and demonstrate the power of electricity and the potential hazards associated with unsafe actions around power lines and household circuitry.
Participants see first-hand the safety equipment used by electrical line workers. They also get a close-up look at various conductors and components of the electrical distribution system and gain a clearer understanding of how the distribution system operates. A special emphasis on low-voltage power is stressed during the demonstration; including, the value of electrical outlets with a Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI).
The presentation vividly shows the effects of contacting 7200 volts of electricity. Several accident scenarios are demonstrated, including:
- Ladders and antennas near power lines
- Ropes and kite strings near power lines
- Downed wires
- Digging into danger
Our Member Service Team also gives low-voltage safety demonstrations at local grade schools, high schools, senior centers, and community organizations.
- Sparks or smoke mean trouble. If you see sparks or smoke – Safely unplug and don’t use again.
- If someone has been shocked or burned by electricity, do not touch the person or anything they are touching. You could become part of electricity’s path and be shocked or even killed.
- Turn off the circuit breaker or disconnect the fuse for the main power to the house. Call 911.
- If there is any electrical fire, do not use water. Safely unplug the appliance.
- If the fire is small, use a proper chemical fire extinguisher. If the fire is not small, leave the house.
- Never touch appliances or wires with wet hands or feet
- Caution - Look up! Powerlines may be overhead - Never trim trees near overhead lines. A tree branch has high moisture content and can conduct electricity to you if it touches an overhead line.
- Never use an electrical tool or appliance if you are standing in water, on damp ground, or if your hands and feet are wet. It is not worth risking serious electrical shock. Let the job wait until conditions are right.
- If the tool or appliance falls in the water, don’t reach for it. Instead, unplug it from its power source.
- Never use electric trimmers and clippers around water or on wet grass and hedges.
- Don’t hang birdhouses or basketball hoops on electric poles.
- Don't attach signs or announcements to utility poles. They can cause problems for personnel who climb poles for routine maintenance and repairs.
- Teach kids to play it safe around electricity. Keep kites, balloons, or model airplanes away from electric power lines. Make sure and fly your kite in wide-open spaces far away from power lines. If you get something stuck in a power line, call MLEC to get it.
- Be careful climbing trees, make absolutely sure there are no wires running through branches or touching any other part of the tree.
- Be careful when you install or adjust your roof antenna. Don’t raise a ladder near power lines. Look up first!
- Take extra care when using electric appliances and tools outdoors. Make sure they’re properly grounded and that your work area is dry.
- Don’t landscape or trim trees near power lines. Call us for assistance.
- Test your Ground Fault Circuit interrupters to make sure they are properly working.
- Never run electric cords under rugs or carpets; extension cords are for temporary use.
- Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative reminds you to always assume a fallen or broken power line is alive and dangerous. Promptly report potential problems, such as a broken utility pole, tree branch, or kite across a power line, loose wire dangling from a utility pole, any object touching a power line, or a power line lying on the ground.
- Stay away from power lines, meters, transformers, and electrical boxes.
- Keep a safe distance from overhead power lines when working with ladders or installing objects such as antennas.
- Never touch or go near a downed power line.
- Don’t touch anything that may be touching a downed wire, such as a car.
- Keep children and pets away.
With the implementation of our AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) metering system, MLEC has revised our procedure for allowing electricians or members to work on any part of live transformer secondaries or meter socket enclosures. MLEC recognizes the safety hazards created by unsealing and removing meters from their meter sockets. Our AMI metering infrastructure allows us to be notified almost instantly when an outage occurs, or a meter is removed.
Electricians or members are required to contact MLEC to schedule the removal of a meter, or the need for the disconnection of service to work within a live meter socket enclosure or for work on transformer secondary wiring. Failure to do so will result in monetary reimbursement equal to the cost of labor and equipment dispatched to the site. Wiring on the secondary side of transformer taps is owned by, and the responsibility of the members.
You can schedule an outage by calling (800) 450-2191, both during and after business hours. If calling during business hours, please ask for Operations.