Electrical Fire
If you have an electrical fire, make sure everyone leaves the house. If the fire is small, call 911 right away. If you are confident that you may be able to extinguish the fire without the assistance of professional help, you may want to read the following guidelines:
- Each home needs a Class C fire extinguisher on hand to help secure their family and home from unforeseen accidents that occur from time to time.
- If the fire is contained to a small appliance, you may want to carefully unplug the appliance or turn off the electricity, but don’t touch the appliance.
- Never put water on an electrical fire.
- If the fire has affected your service entrance wiring or your meter, call Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative as soon as possible at (850) 265-3631 or (800) 568-3667. If you receive an automated message, please leave a message providing the location of the damaged wiring.
Electric Shock
When a victim is in contact with live, indoor electricity, you should never touch the victim or the appliance, wire, etc., causing the shock. Shut off the power, if possible, by turning off the circuit breaker or unplugging the fuse. If it isn’t possible, call our office.
When the victim is in contact with a live outdoor wire, please notify our offices at once and let us turn off the power.
If Someone Has Been Shocked Or Burned
- Tell an adult to pull the plug from the outlet or to turn off the power at the fuse box or circuit breaker.
- Call for help (usually 911). Tell them it is an electrical accident.
- When the victim is not in contact with the source of electricity, and you’re sure there is no danger, tell an adult to give first aid:
- If the victim is not breathing, give CPR or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
- Loosen the victim’s clothing. Keep the victim warm and lying down until help arrives.
- Don’t touch the burns, break blisters, or remove burned clothing. You cannot tell if there are electrical burns inside the body, so be sure the person is taken to a doctor.
In all cases of electrical shock, get medical help immediately. Call 911.
Downed Line
Never touch or approach a downed power line. Always assume a downed power line is live and dangerous! Call Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative immediately at (850) 265-3631 or (800) 568-3667. If you receive an automated message, please leave a message providing the location of the downed line. Then call 911 and report the line to them.