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POWER LINE SAFETY INFORMATION

Downed power lines can be energized and deadly.
​For your safety, assume fallen lines are live and avoid anything in contact with them.

​What to do if you find a downed power line:

• Stay at least 35 feet (10 meters ) or more away from any downed power line. This is about the length of a school bus.
• Move away from a fallen line by keeping both feet on the ground and shuffling with small steps.  
• Report downed lines immediately. Call the HMP&L Dispatch Line at 270-631-0660. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What NOT to do if you find a downed power line:

• Never touch a downed line – always assume the lines are energized and dangerous.
• Don’t attempt to move the power line – even using items that are not typically conductive.
• Don’t touch fences or guardrails in contact with the lines. These structures can be energized for thousands of yards and pose a threat.
• Water conducts electricity.  Don’t touch or step in water near a downed power line.
• Do not drive over downed power lines.

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If a vehicle comes into contact with a power line, utility pole, or padmount transformer,
​treat the equipment as if it is energized.

If you are in the vehicle:

• Remain where you are, if possible, and wait for help.
• Do not touch any part of the vehicle’s frame or any other metal.
• If you must get out of the car because it is on fire or other hazard, jump free of the car, hopping with both feet together so your body clears the vehicle before touching the ground.
• Once you clear the car, shuffle at least 35 feet or more away, with both feet on the ground. Never touch the vehicle and the ground simultaneously.

If you are a bystander:

• Do not approach the scene to try and help or try to remove the downed line or anything else that may be in contact with it.
• Call 911 and report there are downed or damaged power lines or a dislodged green box in contact with a vehicle.
• Warn others not to approach the vehicle, the downed lines, or anything that may be in contact with the downed lines. Warn them to stay at least 35 feet away.
• Wait for the utility crew to arrive to deenergize the power to the line or assess the line does not pose any threat.

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If you see someone injured after touching a downed power line
or who is in direct or indirect contact with a downed line,
DO NOT TOUCH the person.  
YOU could become the next victim!
Call 911 for help.

How to Report an Outage

CALL (270) 631-0660 ANYTIME