Home En Español About Us Site Map

Here For You

FAQs Consumption History Billing Options Rate Schedules Understanding Your Bill Moving In or Out
Update Account New Construction Power Outage Call Before You Dig Cold Weather Rule Community & Education

Dakota Electric is concerned about the safety of our employees, our members and the general public.

We work hard to educate the public about the dangers of electricity, what to do during a power outage, calling for cable location before digging and more.

Call Before You Dig

If you are planning to dig — even in your own yard — state law requires you to call Gopher State One Call to have underground utilities marked. Utilities will be marked within two working days at no cost to you. Call 1-800-252-1166 or visit Gopher State One Call's Web site.

PlugPlug into electric safety

Each year, electrical-related incidents result in more than 41,000 residential fires, claim about 370 lives and cause more than 1,400 injuries. These incidents also cause more than $680 million in property damage annually. More >>

Powerline safety demonstration

Fifth and sixth grade students can learn about power line safety from a former power line specialist. During the demonstration, children learn how to be safe and avoid contact with power lines or items that may be in contact with power lines. More >>

Educational safety programs and games

Dakota Electric Association supports educational programs for students of all ages. More >>

More safety tips are available from the following Web sites:

State of Minnesota Electrical Inspection
 www.electricity.state.mn.us/Ele_insp/index.html

Electrical Safety Foundation International
http://www.electrical-safety.org

Electric and Magnetic Fields

Electric and magnetic fields (EMF) are created by any wire conducting electricity, including transmission and distribution lines, household appliances and business equipment. Four things will change the exposure level to EMF:

  1. The amount of current flowing through a wire.
  2. The voltage on the wire.
  3. A person's distance to the source.
  4. The length of time spent near the source.

Because electricity is so common in daily life, most of us are exposed to EMF almost all the time.

For more information about EMF, contact the Environmental Health Division, Minnesota Dept. of Health at 651-215-0699 or visit their EMF website. Great River Energy, Dakota Electric's power supplier, has more information on its Web site.