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Remember Electrical Safety as You Participate in the 'Great ShakeOut' Feb. 7

Safe Electricity® encourages those in participating states (Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi) and other earthquake prone regions to be aware of electrical hazards that can follow an earthquake and how to stay safe from them.

"Earthquakes are terrifying and devastating events," says Molly Hall, executive director of Safe Electricity. "Unfortunately, the danger is not over when the shaking stops. Communities are still vulnerable to explosions, fires and electrical accidents. Understanding electrical hazards can be a matter of life or death in such a situation."

Experts recommend that when you feel the earth shake, drop to the floor, cover by getting underneath sturdy furniture and hold on to the piece of furniture until the shaking stops.

When it stops, take these precautions:

    --  Indoors, do not use electronics, matches or lighters until you are sure
        there is no gas leak.
    --  If you are in a severely damaged building, leave and go to an open space
        outside.
    --  Be alert to dangers that could be hidden by debris, including downed
        power lines and broken gas pipes. If you hear hissing, smell gas or
        notice sagging utility lines, stay away and alert the utility(s).
    --  Stay away from downed power lines, and warn others to stay away.
        Buildings, trees, cars, debris, even other utility lines can become
        energized and deadly if in contact with a power line.
    --  If you can, turn off electricity at the main breaker. If your house is
        unstable or you must stand in water to do so, call the utility instead.
        Overturned and damaged water heaters and damaged electric circuitry can
        cause explosions and fires. Turning off electricity prevents this.
    --  If you smell gas or suspect a leak, open windows if you can do so
        safely, and then get outside. If the smell is strong, leave immediately
        without touching any switches. Once outside call 9-1-1, and notify your
        gas utility. If you can, shut off the main gas valve. Find the shut-off
        valve at your gas meter, and twist it with a wrench in either direction
        until it is off. Do not turn the gas back on; only a professional can
        safely do this.
    --  Aftershocks can be just as powerful as earthquakes. Be prepared.
        Practice the same safety procedures you would during an earthquake.
    --  If you enter damaged property after the earthquake, be certain
        electricity and gas have been shut off.

As part of its national Teach Learn Care TLC campaign, Safe Electricity urges everyone to understand vital safety measures and to share that information with others. For more information, visit http://www.shakeout.org/centralus and http://www.SafeElectricity.org.

Contact: Kyla Kruse, 217-546-6815

This press release was issued through eReleases(R). For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Safe Electricity