Storms Down Power Lines - Stay Away!

Springtime can produce strong storms that cause damage from high winds, lightning, and tornados. Much of the time these storms cause power outages and downed powerlines that pose an electrocution hazard to people and animals.

Here are some safety tips from electric utilities about downed powerlines.

• Never approach any type of wire or cable that is on the ground, dangling, or hanging low.


• Treat every line as if it is live. An entergized line may look dead but can be deadly.


• Call your local utility and/or 911 with information about the location of the downed line.


• Keep all persons, children, pets, and livestock away from the area until the hazard is cleared.


• Never drive over downed lines. While the rubber tires may provide some insulation, the tires can become tangled in the wires or cables and cause contact with other areas of the car.


• If a line falls across your car, stay in the car. You will be safe in the car. Do not let anyone attemp to help you out. Call 911 and wait for the proper emergency help.


• If the vehicle is on fire and it is necessary to leave it, keeping both feet together, jump clear of the car, avoiding any wires that might be on the ground. Stay calm and jump carefully so that you don’t fall back against the car or touch the ground and the vehicle at the same time. Then shuffle with both feet together clear of the area, keeping both feet on the ground and touching at all times. Continue shuffling for at least 30 feet from the accident site.


• Be aware of powerline that may be in contact with trees and/or fences and stay far back from these electricution hazards.


• Don't touch anyone that is in contact with a live powerline. Wait for trained emergency help.


• Be aware of the posibility of downed powerlines at the scene of an automobile accident that may have impacted a utility pole.

Electricity KILLS! Stay AWARE!