The month of May calls for blooming flowers, warmer weather — and the possibility of heavy rain that results in severe flooding.
In the unfortunate event that you’re faced with a flooded basement or home, ComEd offers these tips to stay safe from electricity during a flood:
1. Never attempt to turn off power at the breaker box if you must stand in water to do so. If you can’t reach your breaker box safely, call ComEd at 800-334-7661 to shut off power at the meter.
2. Never use electric appliances or touch electric wires, switches or fuses when you’re wet or standing in water.
3. Keep electric tools and equipment at least 10-feet away from wet surfaces. Do not use electric yard tools if it’s raining or the ground is wet.
4. If an electrical appliance has been in contact with water, have a professional check it out before it is used. It may need to be repaired or replaced.
5. A good safety measure is to have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) professionally installed on outlets. These safety devices can cut off power instantly if there’s a problem. GFCIs are recommended for outdoor outlets and outlets near wet areas of the home, such as kitchens, bath and laundry rooms.
