Electricity is essential to the modern farm or ranch and is one of the safest forms of energy. But serious electrical accidents occur every year on American farms due to human error.

"To avoid an accident, start by showing all farm workers and family members where power lines are located," says Richard Hiatt, president of the National Food and Energy Council (NFEC), a nonprofit association.

"Make sure everyone realizes that overhead power lines are un-insulated," says Hiatt. "Any object that provides a conductive path to earth can carry a lethal flow of electricity."

To help avoid an accident, make the following safety practices part of your daily routine:

• Know the height of all equipment and stay at least 10 feet away from overhead lines.
• Have someone spot for you when moving equipment.
• Avoid guy wires. Accidentally hitting guy wires weakens the support for utility poles.
• Use extra caution when moving irrigation pipes near overhead lines.
• Don't direct streams of water into power lines.
• Never attempt to raise or move a downed power line.

To order an 8-page guide titled Farm Safely With Electricity, e-mail us or call us at (573) 875-7155.