Whether it’s swimming, boating or fishing, summertime is water recreation time for millions. While enjoying water activities, don’t let a safety hazard dampen your summer fun. As part of its Teach Learn Care TLC campaign, Safe Electricity reminds everyone: Teach what you know about electrical safety. Learn what you need to, and Care enough to share it with those you love.

Electricity is essential energy - it keeps us cool in the summer, lights our house, keeps the refrigerator cold, and runs the TV, stereo and computers. But electricity also can be dangerous. It doesnt take much power to hurt someone - less than one-fifth of the electricity it takes to light a bulb can kill an adult.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends installing and using ground-fault circuit-interrupters (GFCIs) for protection against electrocution hazards involving electrical circuits and underwater lighting circuits in and around pools, spas, and hot tubs.

Assessing electrical hazards near areas of water is a wise investment of time and personal energy. Contact between water and electricity can be serious, or even deadly. According to the CPSC, deaths and serious shocks occur in and around swimming pools each year. Safe Electricity offers the following tips to stay safe in or around swimming pools:

• Do not put any electrical appliances within five feet of a swimming pool.


• Any electrical outlets within twenty feet of a pool should be equipped with a GCFI, or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.


• Pools and decks should be built at least 5 feet away from all underground electrical lines, and at least 25 feet away from overhead electrical lines.


• As always, never swim during a thunderstorm.


• Use battery operated, rather than electrical, appliances near swimming pools.


• If a swimmer is electrocuted or shocked, don’t dive in yourself or you could be electrocuted as well. Turn off the power, and then use a fiberglass shepherd’s hook to pull the victim out of the water.

When you leave the pool, don’t change the radio station or touch any electrical appliances until you are dry - never touch any electrical appliances when you are wet or standing in water. If children wish to play with sprinklers or hoses, emphasize that they should be set up well away from any electrical outlets or appliances. In most instances, if potential safety hazards are taken into consideration and handled proactively, accidents and deaths could be avoided.

Electricity and water are dangerous around larger bodies of water as well. If you plan to go boating or fishing this summer, be aware of your surroundings and potential electrical hazards.

Always check the location of nearby power lines before boating or fishing. Contact between your boat and a power line could be devastating. Maintain a distance of at least ten feet between your boat and nearby power lines to be safe.

If your boat does come in contact with a power line, never jump out of the boat into the water – the water could be energized. Instead, stay in the boat and avoid touching anything metal until help arrives or until your boat is no longer in contact with the line. Be sure dockside outlets have ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection and check cords that are plugged into them to make sure there is no broken casing or exposed wires.

Check for the location of power lines before fishing. Make sure you are casting the line away from power lines to avoid potential contact.