Although most power outages are short-lived and do not warrant the use of auxiliary power, some homeowners use portable electric generators for this purpose. To ensure the safety of yourself, those around you, and Santee Cooper line technicians, portable electric generators should be operated according to strict guidelines:

• Always follow manufacturer's instructions completely.
  
• Never connect portable generator to existing house wiring.
  
• Connect generator directly to appliances instead. Refer to owner's manual for specific instructions on load capacity, approved power cords, etc.
  
• Operate generators outside, as they emit harmful fumes and contain combustible fuel.
  
• Add fuel to the generator only when it is not running and has had time to sufficiently cool.
  
• Always properly ground generator before operating. Refer to the owner's manual for specific instructions.

For safety, before doing any type of digging, call P.U.P.S. (Palmetto Utility Protection Service) at 1-888-721-7877 to have underground utilities located. P.U.P.S. hours are 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. South Carolina law requires that utility companies be given 72 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) to mark their lines. P.U.P.S. notifies Santee Cooper and other member utilities to locate their lines. For more information on P.U.P.S. or to submit an electronic locate ticket (enotice), visit www.SC1PUPS.org.

• Never touch a downed power line or anything that the wire touches. The line could still be live even though it doesn't appear to be energized. Call Santee Cooper at 1-888-769-7688 for assistance.
  
• Never try to move downed power lines with objects such as brooms, boards, limbs or other non-metallic materials. These objects can still conduct electricity.
  
• Never drive over downed power lines. If a power line touches your car as a result of an accident, do not get out. If it is necessary to leave, jump out without touching the car and the ground at the same time. Then shuffle away rather than taking large steps to minimize the chance of electricity flowing through the ground and then through your body.

• Overhead power lines are usually bare and not insulated. When using or carrying long objects such as ladders, pruning tools, swimming pool poles, antennas, pipes, etc., be aware of overhead power lines and do not allow objects to touch them.
• Always check for overhead power lines before launching a sailboat or raising its mast.
  
• Never climb trees near overhead power lines.
  
• Kites or model airplanes should never be flown near overhead power lines. Do not attempt to retrieve objects that get caught in power lines and always use non-metallic string or cord to fly kites.
  
• Never climb utility structures such as poles or enter substations.

In areas with underground power lines there is often padmounted equipment (green boxes) located along rights-of-way. Although this equipment is normally safe unless damaged, do not allow children to play on or around these objects. Stay away from damaged or open equipment and notify Santee Cooper immediately.

Most homeowners like to have a screen of shrubs to block the view of padmount equipment in their yard. But, Santee Cooper personnel need to have direct access to the equipment in the event of a power outage or to perform maintenance. As a result, special care must be taken to keep your plants a safe distance from this equipment. Please allow 10 feet of space on the sides with doors and 3 feet of space on the other sides. If you have any questions, call or stop by your local customer service office.

It is required that cranes be operated no closer than 10 feet from overhead power lines for voltages up to 50 kV and 10 feet and 4 inches for every 1 kV over 50 kV. Any operation of cranes that may be operated closer than 10 feet to a power line, Santee Cooper should be contacted for marking of lines or isolation of lines as necessary. If a crane contacts a line, the operator should avoid leaving the equipment as long as contact remains. If someone must leave a crane while it is contacting power lines he should jump clear and not touch the equipment and the ground at the same time. Then shuffle away rather than taking large steps to minimize the chance of electricity flowing through the ground and then through his body.

Santee Cooper, along with other local utilities and municipalities, participates in the National Crime Prevention Council's McGruff Trucks Program. Our trucks are radio-equipped to assist kids or others who need help or are hurt. Signal a McGruff truck by waving both arms over your head and we'll call for help.