“If someone thinks that stealing electric wire is a quick way to earn some easy money, they must think again,” says Roach. “The price of metal is not worth the price of a life.”
Late this summer, A New Mexico man is found dead beneath a power pole. He was electrocuted while trying to cut copper wiring from a live transformer. A Dallas, Texas man lost his life and knocked out power to thousands when he cut into a live power line. Similar accidents were reported in South Carolina, Kansas and other states. Since March, the Kentucky Public Service Commission has reported at least three electrocution deaths associated with theft of copper wire.
Across the country, increasing incidences of copper theft are met with rising fatalities and outages to thousands of people. With a 25 percent surge in these offenses over the past year, Access Energy Cooperative urges you to be aware of the deadly risks and far-reaching consequences involved in copper theft.
“Stealing material from an electric substation or utility pole can cause not only serious injuries and death, but extensive outages, fires and explosions – consequences that impact innocent people,” says Don Roach, Director of Operations. “The minimum damage that can occur is an outage, which may affect thousands of individuals. In some instances, removal of copper can cause a surge on the electric system and permanently damage household appliances and other equipment as well.”
Copper in wire is appealing to thieves who seek to sell the metal for scrap. Burglars will go as far as climbing power poles, scaling fences, and breaking into buildings to steal the precious metal. While this issue is not new, higher prices for the metal are causing thieves to become bolder and more inventive, resulting in more fatalities and public impacts than ever before.
Perhaps one of the scariest instances took place at a house in Peoria, Illinois on July 13th. Thieves stole copper piping off a water heater in the basement and the house filled up with gas. There was an explosion that knocked the house several inches off its foundation. The house was demolished the same day.
“These deaths and damages are completely unnecessary, and they could happen anywhere,” adds Roach. “People must be aware of this kind of theft and that tampering with electric power facilities can result in extremely dangerous situations. Always alert your utility provider when you see or suspect suspicious activity.”
Access Energy offers these tips to help safeguard against electrical dangers and prevent copper theft:
Never enter or touch equipment inside a substation; stay away from power lines and anything touching a power line.
If you notice anything unusual with electric facilities, such as an open substation gate, open equipment, hanging wire, etc. contact your electric utility immediately.
If you see anyone around electric substations or electric facilities other than utility personnel or contractors, call the police.
Install motion-sensor lights on the outside of your house and business to deter possible thieves.
Store tools and wire cutters in a secure location, and never leave them out while away.
If you work in construction, do not leave any wires unattended or leave loose wire at the job site, especially overnight. Consider hiring a night security guard.
Help spread the word about the deadly consequences that can result from trying to steal copper.
Copper theft is not harmless. Dealing with any metal and electricity is a dangerous combination, especially when it is done without permission or training, and places the thief and others in danger.