Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. After the National Meteorology Institute (INMET) and the Brazilian Navy issued a heavy rain warning rainfall for Espírito Santo in the upcoming days, EDP, an electrical energy distributor in the State, is advising people they need to be doubly aware of the dangers of electricity. Heavy rain and lightning increase the likelihood of accidents involving electric energy.

The guidelines advise people to pay particular attention to electrical installations at home. Always use appropriate materials and hire properly trained professionals to carry out electrical work. Good wiring mean equipment can be used safely and helps avoid electric shocks.

You should not use equipment when it is wet or in flooded areas, or when you are barefoot or wet, because this increases the risk of electric shock. If rain floods your home and reaches your outlets, you should immediately turn off the main circuit breaker and call a skilled electrician to reassess the wiring before turning the power back on.      

“People should take additional care during thunderstorms. If there are other points of internal access and propagation points, such as TV antennae, lightning strikes can affect electrical devices without traveling over the provider’s power distribution network”, said Evandro Scopel, EDP executive manager.

If street signage, roof tiles or trees fall on electrical cables, call EDP immediately via its customer service channels and always void touching the cables.

Special precautions you should take during thunderstorms and lightning:

At home:

• Keep electrical wiring in good condition;


• Do not use power strips (surge protectors are better);


• Avoid leaks around electrical wiring (water is a conductor).


• Remove the most sensitive electronic equipment from the outlet during heavy rain accompanied by lightning


• At the first sign of flooding, keep any furniture and electronic appliances away from the water;


• If the water rises high enough to reach electrical outlets, turn off the main circuit breaker;

Non the street:

• Do not remain out in the open when it is raining;


• Do not stand under trees or metal structures during lightning storms;


• Try to protect yourself from the water and do not walk around flooded areas that have storm drains;


• If electrical cables are lying on the ground, keep your distance and contact EDP. 

For answers to questions or any other requests, customers can contact EDP via: EDP Online, at www.edponline.com.br or the App; the 24-hour toll-free Customer Service Center hotline 0800 721 0707 or by visiting one of our physical agencies.