FEMA Urges Travel Trailer Residents To Use Caution Around Meters And Electrical Equipment
Release Date: April 12, 2006
Release Number: 1603-438
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- The U. S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) advises residents moving in and out of FEMA travel trailers to use caution around electric meters, temporary electric poles and other electrical equipment. The misuse of any type of electrical equipment could result in serious injury or death.
Each year, in the U.S., hundreds of people are killed and more than 10,000 injured from electrical incidents around the home. Meters are designed to supply your home or travel trailer with electricity and should only be accessed by authorized utility personnel or a licensed electrician. Never pry, loosen or remove a meter from its secure location. According to Entergy New Orleans, removing a live meter can lead to an electrical explosion, electrical fire, and/or electrocution. A broken seal or the exposed wiring from a missing meter can be a hazard for the general public because it can cause electrocution.
If you are moving in or out of a FEMA travel trailer, do not touch or attempt to move the meter and/or electrical wiring and equipment connected to your travel trailer. Leave the meter and electric pole where they are. Notify both FEMA and Entergy of your plans to move. Entergy will connect your electricity when you are moving in, and retrieve the meter when you move out. FEMA will deactivate your travel trailer and remove the temporary electric pole. You can reach FEMA and Entergy at the following numbers:
FEMA: 888-294-2822
Entergy: 1-800-ENTERGY
FEMA further advises residents that theft of electric energy, electrical meter and/or electrical pole is illegal and could result in imprisonment. According to Entergy, altering a meter, to reduce consumption or diversion of service with the intent not to pay, constitutes theft of electric energy,
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003
Last Modified: Thursday, 13-Apr-2006 10:32:11