It’s best to stay in a vehicle if there is a downed power line on the car or nearby, but what if the car is about to be consumed by fire? (1) Jump out of the vehicle, landing on both feet together to prevent simultaneous contact with the vehicle and the ground, which would cause electrocution. (2) Starting with feet still together, begin very short shuffling steps and exit the danger area at least 35 feet to prevent electrocution from simultaneous stepping in areas of significant electrical potential difference (SOURCE: Puget Sound Energy ).
Dominion Safety Experts travel our service area conducting live wire demonstrations for fire departments and emergency responders to alert them to the dangers of working around power lines
Demonstration includes 7200 volt simulate overhead primary power line interaction with various objects, such as a hot dog, a ladder, a Mylar balloon turnout boot.
The demonstration also explains underground powerline hazards.
Safety expert, Mike Powers also explains how a portable generator used after a storm and power failure can energize a primary line.
Charlottesville Fire Department and Albemarle County Fire Department were in attendance at the demonstration.
According to their website, Dominion is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 25,700 megawatts of generation, 12,200 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline, and 6,500 miles of electric transmission lines. Dominion operates one of the nation’s largest natural gas storage systems with 933 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves more than 5 million utility and retail energy customers in 14 states.
Dominion provides electric distribution and transmission in North Carolina and Virginia.
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is a Washington state energy utility providing electrical power and natural gas primarily in the Puget Sound region of the northwest United States. The utility serves electricity to more than 1.1 million customers in Island, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Pierce, Skagit, Thurston, and Whatcom counties; and provides natural gas to 750,000 customers in King, Kittitas, Lewis, Pierce, Snohomish and Thurston counties.
See also …
www.dom.com
VIDEO: Powerful surprise as power line falls on swing set and energizes fence in backyard and fence between yards.
