If you encounter downed power lines
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The following are tips to deal with downed power lines from MidAmerican Energy’s Web site, midamericanenergy.com:
Fallen lines
• If you see a fallen power line, stay very far away.
• It’s always best to assume all fallen lines are energized. Fallen power lines can hurt or kill you, even if they do not spark, hum or dance. Stay away from anything that is touching the line, like a tree, fence, vehicle, etc. Do not touch someone who is being shocked by a fallen line – you could be killed!
• Fallen 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.
• Shuffle, don’t run, from a fallen line.
• Shuffle with your feet together and on the ground. Fight the urge to run, and warn others not to run. This is because when a live wire touches the ground, electricity travels through the ground in all directions. Voltage lessens as it travels from the center where the live wire is touching the ground. If you run or take large steps, you increase the chance that electricity could come up one leg and go out the other, and you could be shocked.
If a power line comes down on or near your vehicle, you are safest if you stay inside the car. Follow these tips:
• Stay in your vehicle. When inside, you are not a part of electricity’s path to the ground. Don’t touch metal parts of the vehicle, such as radio knobs, ashtrays, etc.
• Wait until qualified electrical workers turn off the power and tell you it is safe to leave the vehicle.
• If people come near the car to help you, warn them to stay far away. Ask them to telephone 911 and MidAmerican Energy at 800-799-4443 for help.
• If your vehicle contacts a power line, stay inside until rescue workers say it’s safe to leave.
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