You're in Charge: The Ins and Outlets of Electrical Safety

1. You're in Charge:The Ins and Outlets of Electrical Safety

2. What is electricity? • What does it look like? • What does it smell like? • What does it taste like?

3. ANSWER:None of the Above! Electricity is created by the movement of tiny particles called electrons. • If an atom looks like our solar system, electrons are like Earth • The protons and neutrons that the electrons orbit are like the Sun

4. The Positives andNegatives of Electricity Like the ends of batteries, the parts of an atom have different charges. • Electrons are negatively charged • Protons are positively charged • Neutrons have no charge

5. OrbitalApproach • Electrons can escape their orbits This leads to: • An atom with more protons than electrons is positively charged • An atom with fewer protons than electrons is negatively charged

6. Keep AnIon Science FYIon:A charged atom is called an "ion."

7. ConductingBusiness Objects that are conductors of electricity are made of material that lets electrons move quickly: • Water • Trees • Metals • People

8. How IsElectricity Made? In many power plants, • Coal is burned in huge furnaces • Steam from the coal turns a jet engine-like turbine • The turning turbine generates electricity • Electricity leaves the plant through power lines • The steam is cleaned before it leaves the smokestacks

9. Tampa Electric’s Bayside Power Station • Uses natural gas instead of coal • Natural gas is even cleaner than coal • The environment is healthier • You get the same electricity in your home

10. How Can A Tiny Electrical Charge Hurt Me? Think of electrical current like a current of water. • A trickle of water won’t feel very strong • A crashing wave can knock you off your feet Just like: • A tiny electrical current may give you a static charge • A stronger electrical current can hurt or kill you!

11. How Do People Who Work On Power Lines Stay Safe? • Heavy protection • Special tools • Lots of safety training Even with these things, accidents can still happen. But without them, you could be in big danger.

12. What’s the Best Wayto Stay Safe? One way to stay safe is toAVOID POWER LINES! • Never dig around power lines • Never climb roofs or trees around power lines • Never throw things like footballs around power lines

13. How Else Can IStay Safe? • Always keep cords and wires away from water and heat • Never touch water and electrical devices at the same time • Never use electrical devices if you’re wet • Never put your fingers in an electrical outlet or light socket

14. Electrical Itemsin My Home How dangerous are the electrical items in my home? • Each year, about 200 people in the United States die of electrocution from electric appliances.

15. Why Are WiresDangerous? Electrical wires, cables or lines can carry enough electricity to power the homes in an entire neighborhood. Usually they are safe. But sometimes things can damage them: • A storm • A car accident • A tree limb

16. Practice the powerof safety! If you see a power line that’s fallen, STAY AWAY FROM IT! • Don’t ever try to go near it • Tell others to stay away from it • Call 9-1-1

17. AutoResponse If you’re inside a car near a downed power line, never get out of the car. • The electricity is touching the ground • The ground is a conductor of electricity • If you touch the ground, the electricity will flow into your body

18. But Wait –There’s More If you think something might be dangerous, don’t touch it! • Exposed wires • Old or damaged machinery or electronics • Interconnected electronics like stereo systems

19. An Outside Chanceof Danger You’re in a field at a concert, a game or you’re just passing through, when suddenly: • The sky turns dark • Rain begins to fall • You hear thunder What should you do?

20. Get InsideImmediately! But … what if you can’t get to shelter before lightning begins to strike?

21. LayLow! • Lightning usually strikes the tallest object in a field • This includes trees • NEVER HIDE UNDER A TREE WHEN THERE IS LIGHTNING!

22. The Land ofLightning: More people die from lightning in Florida than in any other state. • Warm weather • Moist air • A sea breeze When these three kinds of weather come together, they produce thunderstorms.

23. Remember the30-30 Rule! • After you see a flash of lightning, count the seconds • If you can’t count to 30 before you hear thunder, stay inside • After the last flash of lightning in a storm, wait 30 minutes before leaving home • Half of all people who die from lightning are struck after the storm is over

24. ShockingStatistics • The fifth leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. is electrocution* • Every 24 hours, someone is electrocuted in their home** • Every 36 hours, someone is electrocuted in the workplace*** *National Electrical Safety Foundation (NESF) ** U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) *** Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

25. Remember theChildren! Your little brothers and sisters may not have the kind of common sense with electricity that you have. Let them know what’s safe and unsafe – and if they’re young, do your part to watch them around electric objects that could hurt them.

26. More ThanMeets the Eye In many neighborhoods, you see green metal boxes next to the road. • These are called pad-mount transformers • Don’t sit or stand on them • Don’t let children play on them

27. WantMore? Check outtampaelectric.comfor more information about electrical safety. Remember, it’s your responsibility to stay safe around electricity!