With the recent weather and downed power lines in our area, I thought it was appropriate to do a blog about safety around downed power lines. Electricity, while part of our everyday lives, can be very dangerous. Would you know what to do if there was a downed power line near you? How do you know if it’s energized or not? How can you tell if it’s a telephone line or a power line? These are all questions that we should know the answers to…SEE BELOW and then share this with family and friends.

DO’S AND DON’TS:

  • Overhead power lines can carry more than 500,000 volts. Touching one of the lines can provide a path for electricity to the ground and hurt or kill you. Assume all power lines are energized and dangerous.
  • Downed lines are most common after storms and high winds. If you are outside after a storm, be alert for lines that may be hard to see in streams or puddles.
  • When moving away from a downed power line, shuffle with your feet close together and on the ground. When a live wire touches the ground, electricity travels through the ground in all directions. Voltage decreases as the distance from the wire touching the ground increases. If you run or take large steps, you could conduct electricity from one leg at one voltage to another leg at another voltage, which increases the potential for severe injury or even death. Shuffling is the safest method for moving away from the downed power line.
  • If your vehicle contacts a power line, stay inside until rescue workers say it is safe to leave. Do not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time.
  • If you must leave the car because of fire or other danger, jump away from the vehicle so that you do not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Land with your feet together and shuffle away, keeping your feet close together and on the ground.
  • MOST IMPORTANTLY…CALL 9-11 TO REPORT A DOWNED POWER LINE

Check out the image we have below to learn more about safety around downed power lines. Starbrite continues to invest and care about the community as a whole…we want everyone to be safe around electricity. If you have any questions about electricity or are worried about a light fixture or any source of power, please don’t hesitate to call us. We will send out a certified technician to ensure your safety.