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| Working Safely After Storms |
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| Follow these tips to protect yourself and others from utility hazards when working in storm-damaged areas. |
| Order our FREE worker safety kit on the Tampa Electric e-SMARTworkers website. |
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| Use Generators Safely |
| To prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, only use generators outdoors in open areas and at least 20 feet away from doors, windows and vents. If a CO alarm sounds, evacuate the structure and seek fresh air outdoors. |
| NEVER plug a generator into a wall outlet. Power can energize utility lines, making them unsafe for repair crews and possibly delaying power restoration. |
| Avoid Electrical Hazards |
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Stay out of flooded basements. |
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Do not touch electrical appliances or equipment if you are wet or standing in water. |
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If you must work in wet conditions, use tools and extension cords that are suitable for outdoor use, and plug them into ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) for shock protection. |
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If you see a sagging or downed power line, always assume it is energized and dangerous. Stay far away from the line and anything it is contacting, and report it to 911. |
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Avoid walking and driving through floodwaters, as water may hide fallen power lines. |
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| Disconnect Electric Service Before Major Repair Work |
| If the job involves demolition or major repairs or renovation to a structure with active electric service, contact Tampa Electric well in advance of starting work to arrange for service to be properly disconnected. Do not start work until Tampa Electric says it is safe to do so. |
| Would You Like to Know More? |
| Additional utility safety tips, case studies, instructional videos and educational tools can all be found, at no charge to you, on Tampa Electric's e-SMARTworkers website. |
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