BigBend2021

Equipment Information

Recording or Monitoring Phone Calls

Telephone Safety The telephone is one of the safest appliances in your home or office. There are, however, a few situations where a telephone user needs to be cautious. Use of the Telephone Near Water The telephone should not be used while you are in the bathtub, shower or pool. Immersion of the telephone or handset in water could cause electrical shock.

Anyone who records or monitors a phone conversation is required to make this known to all parties in the conversation. The party doing the monitoring or recording must ask the other persons’ permission to record or monitor the conversation. When using the public utility telephone network: A. All parties in the conversation must con- sent to the conversation being recorded or monitored. B. The monitoring or recording must be sig- naled by either: 1. a “beep tone” audible to all parties and repeated at regular intervals during the conversation; or 2. clearly and permanently marking the telephones being used that the conver- sation may be recorded without notice. Phone Receiver Off the Hook At times you may not wish to receive incom- ing calls. Please do not leave the receiver off the hook as this unnecessarily congests the switching equipment. In some cases, we may have to disconnect your line to avoid over- loading the equipment. When this occurs, your telephone will not work until it is reconnected in our switching office. We suggest if your phone is equipped with a jack, simply unplug it.

Use of the Telephone During an Electrical Storm

You should avoid using a telephone during an electrical storm in your immediate area; calls of an urgent nature should be brief. There is a remote risk of a dangerous electrical shock from lightning when using the telephone during a nearby electrical storm.

Use of the Telephone To Report a Gas Leak

If you think you have found a gas leak, you should not use a telephone in the vicinity of the leak until the leak is repaired. The tele- phone contains electrical contacts that could generate a tiny spark when you lift the handset and dial. While unlikely, it may be possible for this spark to trigger an explosion if the gas concentration is high enough. Use of a Vandalized Coin Telephone Do not use a coin telephone that has been vandalized. The handset could have exposed wires that could cause an electrical shock. If possible, contact telephone repair service to report the damaged instrument.

Attachments to Telephone Equipment

Attachments connected to the telephone company’s lines must be in compliance with company tariffs and Federal Communications Commission regulations.

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