Electrical safety
Power up safely with Avista
Discover steps you can take to make sure the power that runs your home or business helps your life and doesn’t harm it. Our checklist of safety tips can help keep you safe.
Visit our Call 811 before you dig page for details on staying safe while digging in your yard.
Fuses blow. Breakers trip. It happens.
Here's what to do if you're left in the dark:
- Identify the problem: Too many appliances on one circuit can cause a fuse to blow.
- Replace the fuse: Turn off the main power switch, replace the fuse with one of the same rating, then turn the power back on.
- Reset the breaker. If a breaker tripped, switch it back to the “on” position.
Watch a video: What to do if your power goes out
If a fire starts in your home or business that you can’t control, or it sparks from an electrical outlet, evacuate the premises, and call 911.
Here are some tips to help avoid this scenario:
Appliance safety tips
- Keep appliances away from water.
- Never put metal objects into an appliance.
- Unplug at the plug head, not the cord.
- Unplug any appliance that smokes, sparks, or shocks you. Have it repaired before you use it again.
- Unplug any appliance on fire or turn off at the breaker.
- Avoid any contact with your electrical system. Plastic gloves, utensils, or other household items will not protect you.
Outlet and cord safety tips
- Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) for outdoor outlets and areas near water.
- Don’t overload outlets with too many plugs.
- Don't overuse extension cords. Never string two together or place them underneath a rug.
- Cover your outlets with plastic safety caps if you have small children around.
- Don't use worn cords or carry appliances by the cord.
- Use a licensed electrician for your home improvement projects.
- Don't touch an appliance that catches fire.
- Use an approved A-B-C rated extinguisher to put out the fire. Never use water on an electrical fire as it can shock you.
Outdoor electrical safety tips
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions when using power tools and ensure they are for outdoor use.
- Only use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) to plug power tools into outlets.
- Keep ladders and long-handled tools 10 feet away from power lines.
- Keep tall objects like ladders, fishing poles, and boats on trailers away from power lines.
- Don't fly objects near power lines.
- Assume all wires, including telephone or cable lines, could be energized.
Watch a video: Outdoor Power Tools
Power lines can be knocked down by trees and branches during windstorms.
Watch a video: Downed Power Lines
Safety precautions for a downed power line:
- Assume all wires, including telephone or cable lines, could be energized.
- Stay away from downed wires and keep others away. The ground around a downed line can be dangerous.
- Don't touch or move the wires.
- Don't try to move a person or object touching a downed line; you may also become a victim.
- Assume any nearby fence or object is also energized if the wire is touching it.
- Keep others away. Call 911 and then call Avista.
If a power line falls on your vehicle, stay calm.
Watch a video: What to do when a fallen power line touches your vehicle
Important safety tips:
- Don’t leave the vehicle and warn others to stay away.
- Leave only if there’s immediate danger.
- If you must leave, jump out with both feet together.
- Jump free of the vehicle, landing on both feet together.
- Shuffle away from the vehicle, keeping feet together.
- Never touch the ground and the vehicle at the same time.
- Do not touch occupants while they’re in or jumping from the vehicle.
- Don’t return until Avista says it's safe.
Kids can learn how to use energy safely and responsibly on our Avista Kids site.
There are activities and resources for kids, parents, and teachers on our e-SMART kids site. Classroom presentations can be requested for grades 3 through 6, and more.
Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the electric meters serving our customers is an important responsibility to us. Avista has meter testing programs in place that also meet requirements of the public utility commissions in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon.