For Release: November 1, 2012

Contact: Kyla Kruse, 217-546-6815

Safe Electricity Urges Good Samaritans to Practice Safety

Temporary Charging Stations Could Pose Safety Hazards

(SPRINGFIELD, ILL.)—In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, 8.5 million people have been without electricity. Generous people who do have power are offering “charging stations” to those without. Businesses and individuals are using extension cords and power strips to create temporary charging stations—some outdoors.

Safe Electricity urges those hosting and using indoor and outdoor charging stations to understand and avoid electrical dangers.

“It is encouraging to see Good Samaritans helping those without power,” says Molly Hall, executive director of the Energy Education Council, provider of the Safe Electricity program. “These temporary charging stations are okay for short-term use and are very helpful in this extreme situation. However, people should take safety precautions.”

Offering a safe charging station is fairly simple. Safe Electricity has the following tips for those hosting and using charging stations in areas with power outages:

• Use a heavy duty extension cord equipped with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection, especially if you are hosting an outdoor charging station. Charging electronics on wet ground or pavement is a shock hazard. GFCIs detect and prevent electrical shocks. If your charging station is outdoors make sure that the extension cord is also rated for outdoor use.
• Do not use charging equipment that is frayed or damaged.
• Know the capacity of the circuit you are using for a charging station and do not exceed it. Smart phones and tablets draw a small amount of electricity. Laptop computers draw quite a bit more—be careful about charging multiple laptops on one circuit.
• If you host a charging station that trips a breaker, dismantle the charging station immediately. Do not flip the breaker and resume the same level of use.  An overloaded circuit is a shock and fire hazard. Use multiple circuits for your charging station, or offer fewer power strips.

Those who host a charging station are also advised to have a fire extinguisher that is equipped to put out electrical fires.

For more information on safety following a major storm, visit SafeElectricity.org. The site provides comprehensive storm recovery information and resources on issues like prolonged outages, flooding (indoors and outside), downed power lines, and generator safety.  The Energy Education Council joins with millions nationally in thoughts and actions for a safe and swift recovery in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.

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The Energy Education Council is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting electrical safety and energy efficiency. Established in 1952, the Council is headquartered within the University of Illinois Extension, and serves as a forum for diverse utility and energy organizations to collaborate on the mutually vital issues of efficiency and safety. Learn more at www.EnergyEdCouncil.org.