Avoid Electric Shock after an Accident

December 12, 2008

Car accidents are scary. And they can be even scarier if they involve a utility pole that’s charged with electricity. Reduce the risk of shock after a vehicle-utility pole crash with these safety rules:

• If you’ve hit a pole, stay inside the car and call 911 from your cell phone or yell for help.
• Never leave the vehicle until a utility line crew arrives to de-energize the line and tell you when it’s safe. Tell your passengers to stay in the car, too.
• In the rare case of a fire, jump out of the vehicle as far as possible and land with both feet on the ground. Then, shuffle or hop away with both feet touching the ground simultaneously.
• Never touch any downed utility pole or wire. Always assume energized electricity is running through them.
• Stay clear from all areas near any downed poles and/or wires—including the ground, a car, tree or rooftop.
• If you witness a pole accident, or need to repot a downed wire, call your local electric company as soon as possible.

Safety rules provided by Pepco, a PHI Company providing electric service in Washington, D.C., and parts of Maryland.