Winter storm safety
Downed power lines are a chilling sight
NO, IT’S NOT THE CLASSIC severe storm season here in Kentucky, but winter creates severe snowy and icy weather, which can cause the same dangers as the tornadic kind. Remember the 2009 ice storm that crippled parts of the commonwealth—and all those downed power lines?
The weather’s unpredictability means we need to keep safety in mind year-round, whether it’s after an ice storm or a high wind event. Downed and damaged power lines are among the top dangers, during and even after the storm. Take the time now to review some basic safety tips.
If you see a downed power line, which could be making contact with tree limbs, vehicles and puddles/ice/snow, stay about 40 feet away. You won’t be able to tell whether the power line is still live, and if you touch one that is, consequences could be deadly. Large overhead power lines can carry more than 700,000 volts of electricity and fatalities can occur when someone comes in contact with a live wire of only a couple hundred volts. The bottom line is: always assume a downed power line is live.
Other tips
If you see someone in direct or indirect contact with a downed line, do not touch the person. You could become energized as well, and you can’t help if you become a victim. Immediately call 911 for assistance, and then contact your local electric utility to turn off the power.
Never try to move a downed power line or anything else in contact with it using an object such as a broom or stick. Non-conductive materials like wood or cloth can conduct electricity if slightly wet.
Finally, don’t step in water near downed lines or drive over a downed power line.
Safely escape from downed power lines
If you are caught outdoors during a storm and your car comes in contact with a downed power line, stay in the vehicle until help arrives. Call 911 or honk your horn to get help, but tell those rendering aid to stay away from the vehicle.
However, sometimes due to fire or another imminent threat, you have to get out. Here’s how to do it:
- Do not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time with any part of your body or clothing.
- Open the door to your vehicle without touching the metal door frame.
- Jump out of the vehicle with both feet together and so both feet land at the same time.
- Shuffle away so that the toe of one foot shuffles forward along the length of the other foot, ensuring that both feet are in constant contact and always touching the ground.
WES POYNTER is Compliance Coordinator at Nolin RECC.
