Kids of all ages look forward to Halloween because they get to pretend like they’re someone else — at least for a few magical hours. While decked out in creative, creepy or coy disguises, folks can load up on coveted treats — and avoid the dreaded tricks.

When choosing costumes, Halloween revelers often gravitate toward their favorite superhero — be it Batman, Superman, Spider-Man or Wonder Woman. These fictitious brave souls help others when no one else can, face dangerous situations daily and often work for the common good while high up in the air. This year, why not dress up like a true superhero — one of your electric cooperative’s linemen? After all — day in, day out — their jobs demand a selfless attitude, a helpful heart and a lion’s share of courage — all attributes similar to those claimed by comic book caped crusaders.

Once you’re in character, clad in work clothes and a hard hat, safety goggles, gloves and boots, adapt a lineworker’s (or superhero’s) safetywise attitude, too. Not only should you follow these seasonal safety tips from the line crew at Indiana Electric Cooperatives, encourage others to be safety smart. Remember, as Spider-Man said, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

“It’s everyone’s responsibility to be safe around power,” said Rick Coons, CEO at Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “Taking safety shortcuts or ignoring easy but important rules can lead to tragic consequences.” Follow the following tips for a safe and happy Halloween:

• Make sure your outdoor decorations only LOOK or SOUND spooky. Inspect each mechanical ghoul, ghost or goblin for cracked, frayed or bare wires. You don’t want them to REALLY cause a shock or start a fire!
• Hankering to rehab your yard into a haunted hideaway? Only use electrical items marked “for outdoor use.” Plug those decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Otherwise, quite literally, you could be in for the shock of your life.
• Halloween night is not the time to take a trip. Therefore, keep electric cords away from doorways and walkways, lest you or your trick-or-treaters trip and fall.
• Keep nails — and staples, too — away from light strings and extension cords. They can easily damage the cord’s insulation.
• When it’s time to hang up the costume and retire for the evening — or if you’re leaving home for a few hours — make sure you turn off your electrical decorations.

– Electrical Safety Foundation International