- Accidentally contacting a power line can be dangerous and in some cases, even deadly
- Graham County Electric Cooperative wants to help our members stay safe around power lines
Keep a Safe Distance
Whether you are playing outdoors with your children or working on landscaping projects, keep a safe distance from power lines and other equipment your co-op uses to get electricity to your home
Always remember:
- Stay away from power lines, meters, transformers, and electrical boxes
- Don’t climb trees near power lines
- Never fly kits, remote control airplanes, or balloons near power lines
- If you get something stuck in a power line, call Graham County Electric Co-op to get it
- Keep a safe distance from overhead power lines when working with ladders or installing objects such as antennas
- Never touch or go near a downed power line
- Don’t touch anything that may be touching a downed wire, such as a car
- Keep children and pets away
Power Line Hazards & Cars
If a power line falls on a car, you should stay inside the vehicle – This is the safest place to stay- Warn people not to touch the car or the line
- Call or ask someone to call Graham County Electric Cooperative and emergency services
- The only circumstance in which you should consider leaving a car that is in contact with a downed power line is if the vehicle catches on fire
- Open the door – Do not step out of the car – You may receive a shock – Instead, jump free of the car so that your body clears the vehicle before touching the ground
- Once you clear the car, shuffle at least 50 feet away, with both feet on the ground
- As in all power line related emergencies, call for help immediately by dialing 911 or call Graham County Electric Cooperative’s Office or after-hours dispatch at (928) 485-2451
- Do not try to help someone else from the car while you are standing on the ground