Having a power line downed in your car can be one of the scariest experiences you can face while driving. If an active line falls on your vehicle, it can charge the car with electricity, which means that you will have to exercise extreme care to avoid electrocution. If your car is not on fire, call 911 and stand still, being careful not to touch the bodywork. If your car catches fire, get out of the car by jumping out of the vehicle without coming into contact with the vehicle material. Then, still with your legs together, squat safely with both feet on the ground until you are within 50 feet (15 meters) of the car. If you return to the parked vehicle and see that a power line has fallen on it, call the emergency service and stay away.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Take Action After Line Falls on Vehicle
Step 1. Stay inside the car, if possible
Unless your car catches fire, it is very important that you stay inside once a power line falls into it. When this occurs, the line generally charges the metal parts of the vehicle with electrical current. This means that if you tried to go out as you normally would, you would electrocute yourself.
- After the line drops, take a look inside the car and outside the window. The fact that you do not find flames or smoke means that you are not in immediate danger. The safest thing you can do is stay indoors.
- If you see flames and smoke, read method two for instructions on safely evacuating your vehicle.
- If there are other passengers in the vehicle, inform them that the safest course of action is to stay in the car. Just one person getting out of the car incorrectly can put everyone at risk of electrocution.
Step 2. Don't touch the inside of the car
Stay still in the car with your hands on your lap. Be very careful not to touch the body of the vehicle, as it may be charged with electrical current.
As long as you stay still and don't touch the bodywork, you'll be safe inside the car
Step 3. Call 911
Use your phone to call the emergency service. Provide your address and report that the power line has fallen on your car. Your operator may give you some advice, such as staying inside the car, but he or she may also give you specific advice to make sure you follow.
Step 4. Warn people not to touch the car or the power line
If you see cars behind you or approaching the power line from the opposite lane, honk your horn to signal them not to approach the line.
- If someone gets out of your vehicle to investigate or help you, yell at them not to touch the car or go near the downed line.
- If you don't have your phone and haven't been able to call 911, ask someone to come over if they can do it for you. Don't make him hand you his phone. Instead, yell out that you need him to call 911, explain the situation, and give him the address of the downed line.
Step 5. Follow the directions of the police
Once specialists arrive on the scene, they will approach the car and possibly ask you questions or provide directions. Follow their recommendations, as they will be able to assess your specific situation. You should only get out of the car after you are told that it is safe to do so and that the line is out and grounded.
Method 2 of 3: Get out of a burning car safely
Step 1. Make absolutely sure the car is on fire
Getting out of the car is risky, so it is important that you are 100% sure that the car is on fire before you get out. If you see smoke without flames, look at it to make sure it is not coming from the exhaust. The smoke is thick and does not dissipate easily, while the smoke from the tailpipe will disappear into the air.
If you see flames, your car is definitely on fire and you should get out as quickly and carefully as possible
Step 2. Open the door
Once you see that your car is on fire, it is important that you get out as soon as possible. Open the door latch and push, being careful to only touch the plastic part and not the metal part of the door or the vehicle.
The body of the car is possibly charged with electricity from the power line, so it is important that you limit contact with the car as much as possible to avoid electrocution
Step 3. Bring your legs together and cross your arms
After opening the car door, do not exit as you normally would. Instead, keep your legs together and bring them slightly inward. Rotate your body, making sure that neither your feet nor other parts of the body touch the body. This will allow you to form the correct angle to jump out of the car.
Cross your arms over your body to make yourself as small and compact as possible
Step 4. Get out of the car
Still with your legs together, carefully jump out of the car and land on both feet at the same time. Keeping your legs together so that your feet touch the floor at the same time will reduce the chances of receiving an electric shock.
Don't slip out of the car; the objective is that you jump to be able to leave it. When your feet hit the ground, your body should be in the air, not sitting in the car
Step 5. Squat down or jump out of the car
After getting out of the car, get away from the flames as fast as you can. Instead of walking and lifting one foot at a time, squat away, keeping both feet on the floor at a distance of 6 inches (15 cm) the entire time. Another option is to jump away.
- You may feel silly, but these moves could save you from an electric shock.
- If you decide to jump, make sure both feet are touching the ground at the same time.
Step 6. Call 911 when you are within 50 feet (15 meters)
Keep squatting or jumping away until you are within 50 feet (15 meters) of the vehicle. Then take your phone and call the emergency service. Tell the operator your exact location and inform him that a power line has fallen into your car and set it on fire.
- When the specialists arrive, let them know what is happening and follow their safety instructions.
- It warns other approaching cars about what happened and advises that they should not approach or touch the car or the power line. Yell if they are within 50 feet (15 meters) of the power line or car.
Method 3 of 3: Act as a Bystander
Step 1. Stay away from a power line or a car
If you witness the moment when a power line falls on someone else's car or you go back and see that a power line has fallen on your car, stay more than 15 meters (50 feet) from the power line. Approaching the scene is too dangerous, and there are always ways to help without hurting yourself.
Step 2. Yell at the person in the vehicle
If you see a power line fall into someone else's car, yell at whoever is inside instead of approaching. Ask him if he's okay and tell him not to touch the bodywork or interior of the car.
- You can say something like "Hi! Are you okay?" When he responds, as long as his car is not on fire, yell at him "I know what to do in this situation. Stay in the car and do not touch the bodywork or metal parts of the car, since they may be charged with electricity. I'll call 911 now, so help will be here soon. As long as you stay in the car, you'll be fine! "
- If the car catches fire, you can say "Your car catches fire, so you have to get out quickly and carefully. Turn slowly towards the car door without touching the body. Open the door without touching other parts of it. Open it and jump landing on both feet. Squat down and keep both feet on the floor the entire time. I'm calling 911 right now, so focus on getting out carefully. "
- Reassure the person and tell them that you know what to do. Tell her that as long as she follows the instructions, she will be safe and unharmed.
- Inform approaching cars and pedestrians of what happened and warn them to keep a distance of 15 meters (50 feet) from the power line.
Step 3. Call 911
If you haven't already done so, yell at the person in the car to let them know that you will call 911. If she wants you to call for her or she doesn't answer, call the emergency service and inform the operator of the situation and location. If you return to your car and see that a power line has fallen on it, call 911 so they can deactivate the line and make sure you can drive it safely.
Step 4. Stay until the specialists arrive
Stay on the scene until the specialists arrive. If you have witnessed the moment when a power line falls on someone's car, the occupant will feel better if they know that there is someone outside dealing with the situation. Once the specialists arrive, explain the situation to them again. If the power line has downed your car, follow its directions until you can safely approach the vehicle.
If the power line has fallen on your car, you may need to call a towing company or an electrician to move your vehicle and fix it, unless it only has superficial damage
Advice
- If you panic, take a deep breath and remember that you will be safe as long as you follow the correct protocol.
- Even if the line has not fallen on the car, stay inside and call the emergency service. You could also be electrocuted if you are within 50 feet of the line.
Warnings
- Electrical shocks from lines can kill, which is why it is very important not to take risks, such as getting out of the car before the specialists arrive.
- Don't take risks as a bystander (such as approaching the vehicle or the power line). You could suffer a serious or fatal shock even if you don't make direct contact with the line or the car.