Steer clear of fallen power lines (5/19/09)

You can’t tell by looking at a fallen power line if it’s “live” or not. So assume it is live – and get away from it.

Don’t touch it. Don’t touch anything or anybody else who’s touching it. Don’t drive your car near it. Don’t step in water near it. Just get away – quickly.

Even if a power line is not on the ground, stay away from it. Don’t even stand under a power line or under a tree that’s near one. Storm damage to tree limbs and power lines isn’t always visible, yet they could fall later – when you’re not expecting it.