HECO offers safety tips for downed power lines

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - As Tropical Storm Darby brings difficult weather conditions, downed power lines remain a safety issue.

Hawaiian Electric offers these tips to stay safe around downed power lines:

When lines from a utility pole fall to the ground, touch a guardrail or land on a car, please remember:

style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;">Do not touch these lines. Stay away from downed power lines – at least 30 feet or more.
style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;">Report downed lines immediately by calling Hawaiian Electric’s Trouble Line; the number is 1-855-304-1212, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;">If you see someone injured after touching a downed power line, call 9-1-1 for help.
- Don’t try to rescue the individual because electrical current can travel through them to you and you risk becoming a victim yourself.
- Warn others to stay away
style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;">Always assume downed power lines are energized and dangerous.
style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;">A downed line touching a fence or guard rail can energize it for several thousand yards and pose a hazard to anyone coming into contact with these structures. Don’t run away; instead, keep your legs together and shuffle away with both feet on the ground to a safe distance (30 feet or more).
style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;">If a power line falls on your car while you are inside, follow these instructions:
- Remain where you are, if possible, and call and wait for help
- If you must get out of the car because of a fire or other hazard, jump free of the car, hopping with both feet together so that your body clears the vehicle before touching the ground.
- Once you clear the car, shuffle at least 30 feet away, with both feet on the ground.
- Never step down or simultaneously touch the ground and equipment that is in contact with the power line, as this will increase the risk of electrical shock.

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