Two Md. residents are dead after using their sump pump

KENSINGTON (WJLA) - Some Montgomery County residents are going to be extra cautious the next time they use their portable sump pumps.

Saturday, a 29-year-old woman and her 4-year-old daughter were electrocuted outside their Chevy Chase home as they were using a sump pump to remove water from a flooded stairwell. Both were taken to a trauma center where they died.

Kensington residents Mike and Bridget Cunningham have had to use a portable sump pump to bail out their flooded basement. They say it wasn't until recently that they realized how much of a risk it was.

"It makes me really hesitant and extra cautious in using it and I will go out of my way to make sure my children are nowhere near it." says father of three Mike Cunningham.

Montgomery County Fire and EMS spokesperson Pete Piringer says, "The simplest thing for homeowners would just be to stay dry - create and make sure you're in a dry environment . If there's any kind of water you don't want to be messing with electricity or even plugging something in."

County police and an electrician were expected to return to the Chevy Chase home Monday afternoon to further investigate this double fatal accident.