Have you ever encountered a downed power line? Would you know what to do if you did? Who to call? How you react to a downed wire can be the difference between life or death. Some tips may seem like common sense, but if you’re in an emergency or the middle of a storm, you may have to act quickly and knowing how to handle the situation will help keep you safe. Read on for all the information and tips you might need to keep you and those around you safe if you encounter a downed wire.
Stay Away
There’s no way to know if a wire is energized by looking at it or listening to it. Even if you don’t see sparking or hear humming, even if it’s disconnected or power is out in an area you should always assume a wire is live and therefore dangerous. Power lines can look like other cables and wires and can re-energize at any time. It’s also dangerous to touch anything a downed wire is touching. Do not assume any wire is harmless.
Report It
If you see ANY downed wire, stay at least 25 feet or two car lengths away from it and anything it could be
touching. Once in a safe place, call 9-1-1 and then call Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Electric shock, burn or even death can occur from simply getting too close to a downed wire.
Having all the details before you call to report the wire is important, including the exact location and whether any injury or imminent danger is involved (such as fire hazards or if the line is touching a human, animal, or vehicle). Report the address, nearest cross streets and describe the details (hanging, in the roadway, laying in the backyard, etc.). If the downed wire is not at a specific address, use the closest nearby address to report the location of the downed line.
Tip: Save the Consumers Energy phone number (800-477-5050) to your mobile phone contacts list for easy access in an emergency.
Helping Others
If a person or animal is in contact with a downed power line, do not try to rescue them. Call 9-1-1 first and then Consumers Energy. Trained professionals will be dispatched to safely render assistance. Stay at least 25 feet away from them and anything the downed power line may be touching. A downed power line can energize anything it comes in contact with such as fencing, vehicles, trees, water, and even the ground, making those things dangerous to touch as well.
During a Storm
Before a storm, make sure you know where your children and pets are, and after a storm, be aware of downed power lines in your area before sending children and pets outside.
After the storm passes, be careful when cleaning up debris in your yard. Downed power lines could be hidden from sight in brush and debris or could be electrifying the ground near you. Let us be first – wait until power line repairs are complete before you begin your property cleanup.
Did You Know?
Electricity travels! Electrical currents from a downed power line can travel through the surrounding ground and water which could become energized. Do not touch the line with any part of your body or with objects.
Vehicle Safety
If your travels can wait, staying off the roads will keep you out of hazardous areas. But if you must travel, be alert during and after a storm! Drivers should slow down and watch for wires.
If a power line falls on your vehicle, it’s best to remain in the vehicle and call 9-1-1 and wait for help. If you must exit the vehicle due to a fire or another hazard, follow the specific steps listed below to make sure you stay safe.
- If a power line falls on your car while you’re inside your vehicle, do not get out or move your vehicle, the ground around your car may be energized.
- Call 9-1-1 and wait for help.
- If someone tries to help you, warn them to keep their distance and not touch your vehicle.
- If you need to leave your vehicle due to a fire, follow these steps:
- Open the vehicle door – but do not step out of the vehicle.
- Remove loose clothing items.
- Stand with both feet together on the threshold of the door and cross your arms.
- Jump out of the vehicle with your feet together.
- Make sure you are not touching any part of your vehicle when your feet hit the ground.
- Try to avoid landing in standing water like puddles.
- Jump far enough to no longer be touching the vehicle when you land, but not so far you will lose your balance and fall backward.
- Always keep both feet close together and in contact with the ground, begin shuffling away from the vehicle without picking up your feet. (Taking larger steps can create a path for electricity to run through you.)
- Do not crawl or otherwise touch the ground with your hands.
- Do not stop until you are at least 25 feet (two car lengths) away. If you experience any tingling sensations, continue to shuffle away from your vehicle until the sensations stop.
- Never attempt to get back into the vehicle and do not touch the vehicle.
If you see a downed wire, stay away and stay alive. Call 9-1-1 and then Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050.
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