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Valley Rural Energy Services: Learn More About VRES  
Toll-free: 800-432-0680 | Pay-by-phone: 866-999-4591
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

HIC Number PA130865

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  • Offices will be closed April 6-9. Click for details.
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Safety

As your Touchstone Energy® cooperative, member safety is important to us. Below is some important safety information to help keep you and your family safe.

Power Line and Substation Safety

Power Line and Substation Safety

Accidentally contacting a power line or other high voltage equipment can be dangerous and, in some cases, even deadly. We want to help our members stay safe around power lines and substations.

Keep a safe distance

Whether you are playing outdoors with your children or working on landscaping projects, keep a safe distance from power lines and other equipment your co-op uses to get electricity to your home.

Always remember to:

  • Stay away from power lines, meters, transformers, electrical boxes, and substations.
  • Don’t climb trees near power lines.
  • Don’t climb fences around substations.
  • Never fly kites, remote control airplanes, drones, or balloons near power lines or substations.
  • If you get something stuck in a power line or substation, call us to get it.
  • Keep a safe distance from overhead power lines when working with ladders or installing objects such as antennas.
  • Never touch or go near a downed power line.
  • Don’t touch anything that may be touching a downed wire, such as a car.
  • Keep children and pets away.
Power Lines and Cars

Power Lines and Cars

If a power line falls on a car, you should stay inside the vehicle. This is the safest place to stay. Warn people not to touch the car or the line. Call or ask someone to call the local electric company and emergency services.

The only circumstance in which you should consider leaving a car that is in contact with a downed power line is if the vehicle catches on fire. Open the door. Do not step out of the car. You may receive a shock. Instead, jump free of the car so that your body clears the vehicle before touching the ground. Once you clear the car, shuffle at least 50 feet away, with both feet on the ground.

As in all power line related emergencies, call for help immediately by dialing 911 or call your electric utility company's Service Center/Dispatch Office.

Do not try to help someone else from the car while you are standing on the ground.

Generator Safety

Generator Safety

Prevent Electrocutions Associated with Portable Generators Plugged Into Household Circuits

When power lines are down, residents can restore energy to their homes or other structures by using another power source such as a portable generator. If water has been present anywhere near electrical circuits and electrical equipment, turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel. Do not turn the power back on until electrical equipment has been inspected by a qualified electrician.

If it is necessary to use a portable generator, manufacturer recommendations and specifications must be strictly followed. If there are any questions regarding the operation or installation of the portable generator, a qualified electrician should be immediately contacted to assist in installation and start-up activities. The generator should always be positioned outside the structure.

When using gasoline- and diesel-powered portable generators to supply power to a building, switch the main breaker or fuse on the service panel to the "off" position prior to starting the generator.

This will prevent power lines from being inadvertently energized by backfeed electrical energy from the generators, and help protect utility line workers or other repair workers or people in neighboring buildings from possible electrocution. If the generator is plugged into a household circuit without turning the main breaker to the “off” position or removing the main fuse, the electrical current could reverse, go back through the circuit to the outside power grid, and energize power lines or electrical systems in other buildings to at or near their original voltage without the knowledge of utility or other workers.

Effects of Backfeed

The problem of backfeed in electrical energy is a potential risk for electrical energy workers. Electrocutions are the fifth leading cause of all reported occupational deaths. Following the safety guidelines above can reduce this risk.

Other Generator Hazards

Generator use is also a major cause of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Generators should only be used in well-ventilated areas.

Text courtesy of and copyright © 2013 Touchstone Energy. All rights reserved.

Items of Interest

We Make Safety a Priority. Valley REC. Proud member of Safe Electricity® since 2017.

Valley Rural Energy Services offered by Valley Rural Electric Cooperative
HIC Number PA130865

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MANY WAYS TO SAVE, ALL IN ONE BASKET. The one card that does it all. Connections.coop - Colored eggs in a yard.

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Main Address

Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

10700 Fairgrounds Road

PO Box 477

Huntingdon, PA 16652-0477

 

Phone Numbers

Telephone: 814-643-2650

Toll-free: 800-432-0680

Pay-by-phone: 866-999-4591

Fax: 814-643-1678

 

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday

7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

 

HIC Number PA130865

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The Touchstone Energy® name and logo design, the Co-op Connections® name,
the tagline "The One Card That Does It All®," and the tagline "The Power of Human Connections®"
are federally registered trademarks and may not be used without permission.

NISC and the SmartHub Logo are trademarks of National Information Solutions Cooperative, Inc. (NISC) in the U.S. and other countries.

Safe Electricity® is a registered trademark of the Energy Education Council.

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©2023 Valley Rural Electric Cooperative. Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

  • Home
  • Billing Info
    • View & Pay Bill
    • Residential Bill
    • Payment Options
    • SmartHub Overview
      • SmartHub for the Web
      • SmartHub for iOS
      • SmartHub for Android
    • Disconnection Policy
    • Rates
    • FAQs About Rates
    • Fees
    • Definitions
      • Purchased Power Adjustment
  • Member Info
    • The Cooperative Difference
    • Bylaws and Forms
    • Annual Report
    • Capital Credits
    • Directors and Districts
    • Member Meetings
    • Recent Posts
    • Penn Lines
    • Valley News
    • Scam Alerts
  • Programs & Services
    • Valley Rural Energy Services
      • Generator Sales and Installation
      • Generator Transfer Switches
      • Electrical Service Work
      • Water Heater Sales
      • Water Heater Rebates
      • Whole Home Surge Protection
      • Home Energy Audits
      • CFL Disposal
      • LED Light Bulbs
    • Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
    • Community Service Grant Program
    • Co-op Connections Program
    • Demand Response
    • Educational Programs
    • For Kids
    • Golf Outing
    • Members Helping Members
    • Scholarships
      • 2022 Recipients
      • 2021 Recipients
      • 2020 Recipients
      • 2019 Recipients
      • 2018 Recipients
      • 2017 Recipients
      • 2016 Recipients
      • 2015 Recipients
      • 2014 Recipients
      • 2013 Recipients
      • 2012 Recipients
      • 2011 Recipients
      • 2010 Recipients
    • Youth Tour
  • Safety
    • Indoor Safety
    • Reporting an Outage
    • Storm Center
    • Safety Quiz
    • Safe Electricity
  • Save Energy
    • Electric Shift
    • Energy Calculators
  • About Us
    • Contact Info
    • Offices and Hours
    • Service Territory
    • Job Openings
    • Legal Information
    • About Touchstone Energy Cooperatives
    • Cooperative Principles
    • Off-site Links
    • Site Map