Fall is an especially busy time of year in South Dakota. Harvest is in full swing, with oversized equipment bustling in and out of fields. Teens with newly issued driver’s licenses are reveling in the newfound freedom. Elaborate displays for homecoming parades are being built to showcase community pride and school spirit.

During hectic times, it’s easy for safety to fade into the background. That’s why it’s important to remain power line ready. Look up, look around, and slow down.

Electricity can be deadly. It’s why safety is one of Northern Electric Cooperative’s core tenets, along with reliability and affordability. We have numerous safety measures in place to keep members and employees safe. We need your help to ensure everyone is safe this fall. Hitting electrical infrastructure can quickly became an emergency for both the operator and those around them.

When electricity goes to ground, it dissipates out and around, like ripples on water. This creates potential for electrocution for the operator of the vehicle and anyone within 40 feet of the downed infrastructure. Someone who doesn’t know how to handle the situation can be seriously injured or killed.

Keep your family and friends safe by teaching them the correct way to handle a downed line. Stay in the vehicle and call 9-1-1. Trying to drive away can make the situation worse. More infrastructure could be dragged down, or the operator could come into direct contact with an energized portion.

Remember the phrase “slow is smooth and smooth is fast.” Taking the extra couple of seconds to check that your vehicle, equipment, and any extensions will easily clear electrical infrastructure will always be faster than forging ahead and snagging a line or hitting a transformer. 

Have a safe fall!