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Vehicle and power line accidents can be deadly; what you need to know


Fri, May 31st, 2013
Posted in Rushford Ask the Expert

Rushford, Minn. - With a close call locally and a fatality in Bigfork, Minn., all within a few days of each other, Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TEC) wants to spread the word about what to do if your vehicle comes in contact with a power line.

On Tuesday, May 22 TEC crews arrived to a potentially fatal accident along Hwy. 30 west of Pilot Mound where a car hit and broke a power line pole. No one from the vehicle was at the scene. The power line was still energized when crews arrived.

“The occupants of the vehicle should consider themselves lucky to be alive,” says Brian Krambeer, TEC’s president/CEO. “Tragically, many drivers and passengers who survive a car accident involving a power line are electrocuted when they attempt to leave the vehicle. In the vast majority of cases, the safest action is to stay inside the vehicle until the local utility arrives to assure the lines are de-energized.”

Tragedy hit northern Minnesota where North Itasca Electric Cooperative, Inc., of Bigfork reported that on Friday, May 17, a vehicle hit a power line pole and a passerby who stopped to render assistance to the driver grabbed a power line that was still energized. Attempts to resuscitate the victim were unsuccessful.

What should you do if your vehicle comes in contact with a power line?

•Call or signal for help. It is safe to use a cell phone if you have one.

•Warn others who may be nearby to stay away and wait until the electric utility arrives to make sure power to the line is cut off.

•The only exception would be if fire or other danger, like the smell of gasoline, is present. In that case, the proper action is to jump – not step—with both feet hitting the ground at the same time. Jump clear. Do not allow any part of your body to touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Hop to safety keeping both feet together as you leave the area. Like the ripples of a pond or lake, the voltage diminishes the farther out it is from the source. Stepping from one voltage level to another allows the body to become a path for electricity.

•The same rules apply with situations involving farm and construction equipment that comes in contact with electric lines. Those working with large equipment should stay inside the vehicle if the equipment extensions come in contact with power lines.

To view a video on what on what to do if y .....
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Winter Berry Plants for Birds

By Peggi J. Redalen

Fri, Nov 23rd, 2012
Posted in Rushford Ask the Expert

Elements of Design 507.864.7885 Cell 507.450.2291 peggi@eodlandscapes.com www.eodlandscapes.com Invite flocks to your backyard 'by Design' with fruit-bearing trees, shrubs and groundcovers in your landscapes. Feeding birds comes naturally with ..... 
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Why should I pre-plan my funeral?

By Gary Hoff

Fri, Nov 23rd, 2012
Posted in Rushford Ask the Expert

Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service Rushford 864-7771 • Houston 896-3127 St. Charles 932-4100 • Lewiston 523-2277 Goodview / Winona 452-4241 www.hofffuneral.com      Pre-planning one’s funeral can seem like a daunting task. In realit ..... 
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Misconception #4: Indoor air quality is not a problem at my house.

By Brian Breer

Fri, Nov 23rd, 2012
Posted in Rushford Ask the Expert

Breer’s Heating & A/C Dedicated to consumer education and client service. Serving all S.E. Minnesota Service all makes & models. 507-864-4139 or 507-450-6102 Brian Breer Not true. All houses have indoor air quality problems, they just ..... 
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When I try to start my engine, I hear a clicking sound but nothing happens. Do I need a new starter?

By Jeff Christian

Fri, Nov 23rd, 2012
Posted in Rushford Ask the Expert

Brown Tire Hwy. 16 & 43 • RUSHFORD, MN 507-864-2969 Jeff Christian Maybe, but the only way to know for sure is to check out the battery, solenoid and starter. If you hear a clicking noise, it means voltage is getting through to the solenoid ..... 
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Make your garden more memorable.

By Peggi J. Redalen

Mon, Aug 27th, 2012
Posted in Rushford Ask the Expert

Great design begins with your home, who you are, elements you are comfortable with and the activities of your life. Design style is as important to the exterior of your home as it is to the interior of your home. It is also complementary. Individua ..... 
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What happens if I should die when I’m away from home, and my family wants my funeral and burial back in my hometown?

By Gary Hoff

Mon, Aug 27th, 2012
Posted in Rushford Ask the Expert

I do get asked this question often, and it does occur on occasion. If a person dies while they are on vacation or away visiting friends or relatives, it is always best to have the family call their hometown funeral home first. By doing this, a famil ..... 
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Now that the hot weather is over and the mornings are getting cooler it is the time to think about the season that is coming.

By Brian Breer

Mon, Aug 27th, 2012
Posted in Rushford Ask the Expert

Yes, the heating season. We may not want it, but it will be here soon. I recommend you get a heating system check up every year. This will keep you safe and your heating system running through the season trouble free. Remember, keep smiling and ..... 
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How often should I change my air filter?

By Malachi Nelson

Mon, Aug 27th, 2012
Posted in Rushford Ask the Expert

It’s hard to give a specific time or mileage figure because the life of the filter depends on how much crud it ingests. A filter that lasts 20,000 or even 30,000 miles on a vehicle that’s driven mostly on expressways may last only a month or two ..... 
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