Accidentally contacting a power line can be dangerous and in some cases, even deadly. Your cooperative wants to help our members stay safe around power lines.
Keep a Safe Distance
Whether you are playing outdoors with your children or working on landscaping projects, keep a safe distance from power lines and other equipment your co-op uses to get electricity to your home.
Always Remember
- Stay away from power lines, meters, transformers, and electrical boxes
- Don’t climb trees near power lines
- Never fly kits, remote control airplanes or balloons near power lines
- If you get something stuck in a power line, call your Touchstone Energy co-op to get it
- Keep a safe distance from overhead power lines when working with ladders or installing objects such as antennas
- Never touch or go near a downed power line
- Don’t touch anything that may be touching a downed wire, such as a car
- Keep children and pets away
Power Line Hazards & Cars
- If a power line falls on a car, you should stay inside the vehicle –This is the safest place to stay
- Warn people not to touch the car or the line
- Call or ask someone to call the local cooperative and emergency services
The only circumstance in which you should consider leaving a car that is in contact with a downed power line is if the vehicle catches on fire:
- Open the door
- Do not step out of the car –You may receive a shock
- Jump free of the car so that your body clears the vehicle before touching the ground
- Once you clear the car, hop with both feet together at least 50 feet away
- Do not try to help someone else from the car while you are standing on the ground
As in all power line-related emergencies, call for help immediately by dialing 911 or call your electric utility company’s Service/Dispatch Office.