How to Protect Yourself and Others from Electrical Hazards Following a Natural Disaster
After a hurricane, flood or other natural disaster you need to be careful to avoid electrical hazards both in your home and elsewhere.
- Never touch a fallen power line. Call the power company to
report fallen power lines.
- Avoid contact with overhead power lines during cleanup and
other activities.
- Do not drive through standing water if downed powerlines
are in the water.
- If a powerline falls across your car while you are driving,
stay inside the vehicle and continue to drive away from the
line. If the engine stalls, do not turn off the ignition. Warn
people not to touch the car or the line. Call or ask someone
to call the local utility company and emergency services. Do
not allow anyone other than emergency personnel to approach
your vehicle.
- If electrical circuits and electrical equipment have gotten
wet or are in or near water, turn off the power at the main
breaker or fuse on the service panel. If you must enter standing
water to access the main power switch, then call an electrician
to turn it off.
- Never turn power on or off yourself or use an electric tool
or appliance while standing in water. Do not turn the power
back on until electrical equipment has been inspected by a qualified
electrician. All electrical equipment and appliances must be
completely dry before returning them to service. Have a certified
electrician check these items if there is any question.
- If you see frayed wiring or sparks when you restore power,
or if there is an odor of something burning but no visible fire,
you should immediately shut off the electrical system at the
main circuit breaker.
- Consult your utility company about using electrical equipment, including power generators. Do not connect generators to your home's electrical circuits without the approved, automatic-interrupt devices. If a generator is on line when electrical service is restored, it can become a major fire hazard and it may endanger line workers helping to restore power in your area.
- Look first. Don't touch. The person may still be in contact
with the electrical source. Touching the person may pass the
current through you.
- Call or have someone else call 911 or emergency medical help.
3. Turn off the source of electricity if possible. If not, move
the source away from you and the affected person using a nonconducting
object made of cardboard, plastic or wood.
- Once the person is free of the source of electricity, check
the person's breathing and pulse. If either has stopped or seems
dangerously slow or shallow, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) immediately.
- If the person is faint or pale or shows other signs of shock,
lay him or her down with the head slightly lower than the trunk
of the body and the legs elevated.
- Don't touch burns, break blisters, or remove burned clothing. Electrical shock may cause burns inside the body, so be sure the person is taken to a doctor.
Page Last Updated: 5/5/06 17:15