Don’t Touch That!

With the wind whipping us all over the place today, it seems like a good time to remind everyone about Bainbridge Island Fire Department and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) rules regarding downed wires:

• Assume the wire is live.

• DO NOT touch a downed power line or anything near it. PSE says, “Energized lines give off ‘ripples’ of voltage called gradient rings. Stepping between two rings will cause a shock from the ground.” They add, “Wood, tools, and equipment conduct electricity.”

• DO NOT drive over downed power lines.

• If a power line falls on your vehicle while you are driving, slowly drive completely clear of it. If your car can't move away from the power line, STAY IN THE VEHICLE until help arrives. Try not to touch the inside of the vehicle.

• If a person or pet comes in contact with a power line, stay clear and CALL 911 immediately. DO NOT touch them or the wire. 

In the rare event that you absolutely have to evacuate the vehicle immediately (for example, if it’s on fire), then follow these precautions:

• Jump away from the vehicle and land with both feet together. DO NOT touch the vehicle while stepping out and onto the ground, as this can create a path for electricity to run through you.

• Once you are out of the vehicle, keep your feet mostly together and shuffle (imagine your shoelaces on both shoes are tied together) until you're at least 35 feet away. Taking larger steps can also create a path for electricity to run through you.