May
2008
Power
Line Down!
Do
you know what to do?
Click here to watch a
video on what to do if a power line falls on your car.
Most
of the time, power lines are out of reach.
But
sometimes, storms, car-power pole accidents or construction site mishaps
knock lines to the ground. If that happens, do you know what to do?
More
importantly, do your children know what to do?
“Every
Walton EMC customer-owner should learn and then teach their family what to
do if they encounter a downed power line,” says Greg Brooks, Walton
EMC communications coordinator. “Chances are you’ll never come
face-to-face with a live wire on the ground, but you need to know what to
do just in case.”
1.
Stay away!
You
can’t tell if a power line is live just by looking. There may be no
arcing, popping or fire. Assume every wire is a live wire.
Don’t
go closer to investigate. Even if you don’t actually touch the wire,
you can be electrocuted by the tremendous amount of electrical current that
may be flowing through the ground. The danger is greater if the ground is
damp.
2. Keep
others back.
Shout
to anyone nearby to leave the area immediately. If someone is approaching,
turn them around.
3. Call
911.
Report
the downed line to emergency services.
4. Call
the utility.
If
you know the utility serving the line, make another call to let them know
about the dangerous situation. You can call Walton EMC 24 hours a day, 365
days a year at 770/267-2505.
5. Assume
every wire is an electric wire.
Even
if you think the wire is telephone or cable, don’t go near. Let our
experts make the determination. If there’s been a storm, phone or cable
lines can become entangled in power lines and become energized themselves.
6. Don’t
untangle wires from fallen trees.
Wait
until utility personnel clear the wires before doing any tree work.
7. Wait
for the all clear.
Don’t go back into the
area until electric utility personnel tell you it’s safe. Stay well back
from their equipment while repairs are underway.
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