Down Power Lines
Downed power lines are dangerous. Never touch them. For safety’s sake, always assume that a fallen power line is live, and follow these guidelines:
- Do not touch the downed line with your hand or an object, such as a stick, broom, or pole.
- Avoid touching anything, such as a car, object, or equipment, or anyone who is in contact with a fallen power line.
- Keep children and pets away from fallen electric lines.
- Avoid driving over a fallen power line.
- Call 911 immediately to report a fallen power line.
In Your Car
If your vehicle comes in contact with a downed power line, follow these safety rules:
- Stay inside your car. The ground around your car may be energized.
- Sound the horn, roll down your window, and call for help.
- Warn others to stay away. Anyone who touches the equipment or ground around your car can be injured.
- Use your mobile phone to call 911.
- Wait until the fire department, police, or Tabor Power District workers tell you it’s safe to get out of your car before exiting the vehicle.
Vehicle Fire
If your car is in contact with a fallen power line and a fire starts, follow these guidelines when exiting your vehicle:
- Remove loose items of clothing.
- Keep your hands at your sides and jump clear of the vehicle, so you are not touching the car when your feet hit the ground.
- Keep both feet close together and shuffle away from the vehicle without picking up your feet.
- Follow these safety tips when using balloons and toys around power lines
- Ensure that helium-filled metallic balloons are tied to weights heavy enough to prevent them from floating into power lines.
- Use metallic balloons, kites, and remote-control toys away from overhead electric lines to avoid the potential for power outages, fires, and serious injuries.
- Contact Tabor Power District immediately at (503) 771-5596 if a balloon or toy is caught in a power line. Never attempt to retrieve an object that is on or near a power line.
Look Up & Live
Remember these important safety tips for overhead power lines:
- Look up before lifting ladders and other long-handled tools to avoid accidental contact with electric lines.
- Stay away from fallen or dangling power lines. Don’t touch the lines. Call 9-1-1 immediately.
- Contact us at (503) 771-5596 to report tree branches or limbs near power lines. Our tree-trimming crews are qualified to work around high-voltage lines and can cut the limbs for you. Never attempt to do the trimming, yourself.
Drones
Want to keep your drone free from danger? Keep it away from power lines. Flying too close may affect your drone’s signal. Landing on power lines could damage your machine or cause a power outage. Avoid dark and windy conditions, when you might not be able to keep your drone clear of power lines. If you are operating a drone that contacts a power line, call us right away at (503) 771-5596. Do not try removing the drone yourself.