don't mess with downed power lines

Downed power lines can look relatively harmless, but don't be fooled.

Downed power lines likely carry an electric current strong enough to cause serious injury or possibly death. You can’t see, hear, or smell electricity. These tips can help you stay safe around downed lines:

• If you see a downed power line, move away from the line and anything touching it.

• If you are in a vehicle that is in contact with a downed line, stay in the vehicle. Use your cell phone for help and tell others to stay away from your vehicle.

• The proper way to move away from the line is to hop or shuffle with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times. Electricity wants to move from a high voltage zone to a low voltage one—and it could do that through your body.

• If you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact with the downed line, do not touch the person. You could become the next victim. Call 911 instead.

• Do not attempt to move a downed power line or anything in contact with the line by using another object such as a broom or stick.

• Do not drive over downed lines.

• If you must leave your vehicle because it’s on fire, jump out of the vehicle with both feet together and avoid making contact with the vehicle and the ground at the same time. This way you avoid being the path of electricity.

OFFICE CLOSING

Eastern Illini’s offices will be closed on Monday, May 28 in honor of Memorial Day.

As always, call us at
800-824-5102 to report an outage, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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