Power lines — whether suspended high in the air between poles or beneath our feet underground — may seem harmless, but they can pose serious danger if we don’t exercise great care and caution.
Do you know what to do if you see a downed power line?
- Always assume the line is energized — you won’t be able to tell the difference.
- Stay back at least 10 metres (33 feet).
- Electricity travels through the ground in waves that lose power as they spread. If a line comes down near you, shuffle (keeping your feet together) until you are 10 metres (33 feet) away. Do not lift your feet.
- Do not touch someone being shocked by a line or you will also be shocked.
- If a downed line touches your car, stay inside. Tell others to stay back at least 10 metres (33 feet). Don’t leave the vehicle until someone from your power utility company tells you it is safe.
- If a downed line touches someone else’s car, tell them to stay inside, and keep others away from the vehicle until someone from your power utility company says it is safe. Do not approach the vehicle.