Power Line Safety
Power lines are a vital part of the electrical transmission and distribution system, but they can also be dangerous. Always assume that a fallen line is energized and follow these guidelines. CoServ linemen have years of training and are equipped with insulated gear to keep them safe when they work on the lines.
You can report downed lines, outages, and other safety concerns using the following online forms. Call 855-938-3496 to use our automated reporting system. Or, text OUT to 855-938-3496 (SmartHub enrollment required).
Downed Power Lines & Vehicles
What to do If a power line falls on your car while you are inside:
- 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 of a fire or other hazard, jump free of the car, hopping with both feet together, so that
your body clears the vehicle before touching the ground. - Once you clear the car, shuffle at least 30 feet or more away, with both feet on the ground.
- Never touch the vehicle and the ground simultaneously, because this will increase the risk of electrical shock.
Watch our safety videos with your family.
If you see an injury
If you see someone injured after touching a downed power line, call 9-1-1
Don't try to rescue the individual.
Electrical current can travel through them to you and you risk becoming a victim yourself.
Warn others to stay away.
DOs
Move away from a fallen line by keeping both feet on the ground and shuffling with small steps.
Move away from a fallen line by keeping both feet on the ground and shuffling with small steps.
Report downed lines immediately. Call 9-1-1 and CoServ's electric emergency line, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Electric Emergency Line
855-938-3496
DONTs
Never touch a downed power line - always assume downed power lines are energized and dangerous.
Don't attempt to move the power line - even using items that are not typically conductive.
Don't run! Shuffle away, with both feet on the ground, to a safe distance.
Don't touch fences or guardrails in contact with downed power lines. These structures can be energized for thousands of yards and pose a hazard.
Safety Tips
The general public should never touch, play or get near power lines. Here are some simple safety rules to keep yourself and others safe around power lines:
General Safety tips around power lines
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- Never climb power poles or transmission towers. A typical overhead line carries thousands of volts of electricity. Major transmission line voltage could be as high as 500,000 volts. Both can deliver a deadly shock instantly if you come in contact with them.
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- Never climb trees near power lines. The human body is an excellent conductor of electricity and you could become its path from the lines to the ground, resulting in serious or even deadly injuries.
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- Keep ladders, antennas, kites, flags and poles away from power lines. Remember - power lines are not insulated. If you are touching something that comes in contact with a power line, you could receive a deadly electrical shock. Be extra careful with kites and Mylar balloons, they can cause an outage or fire if they come in contact with overhead electric lines.
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- Stay away from downed power lines. Always assume a downed power line is live and life-threatening. Keep children and pets away from downed lines. Do not attempt to remove a person or animal caught in power lines. Do not attempt to remove tree limbs or any other object from a downed line. If you see a downed line, call 911 and then call CoServ Electric's emergency number 855-938-3496.
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- Never drive over a downed line or under a low-hanging line. Beware of downed lines touching a vehicle. Stay away from the vehicle and the line. If a power line hits your car while you're inside, stay put and wait for help. If the car catches fire, then jump clear with both feet together without touching the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Shuffle away while keeping both feet on the ground.
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- Know what's below before digging. Avoid digging, drilling or excavating before having underground utilities marked. Call Texas 811 by dialing '811' or go to texas811.org for more info. Click here to learn more about Dig Safety.
What to do if you see a downed power line
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- Call 911 immediately to report the fallen line
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- Avoid touching the line with your hand or an object
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- Avoid touching anything that may be in contact with the energized area, for example, equipment, a car or a person
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- Avoid driving over a fallen line
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- Keep children and pets away from fallen lines
What do if a fallen power line touches your car
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- Stay inside your car. The ground around your car may be energized.
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- Sound the horn, roll down the window and call for help.
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- Warn others to stay away. Anyone that touches the ground, equipment or car can be injured.
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- Wait until the fire department, police or CoServ workers tell you it's safe to exit.
What to do if a fire starts
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- Remove loose items of clothing
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- Keep your hands at your sides and jump clear of the vehicle, landing with feet together.
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- Do not touch the vehicle when exiting.
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- Keep both feet close together and shuffle away from the vehicle without picking up your feet.
How to Report an Outage
- Log in to your SmartHub account
- Click on Report Power Outage in the left sidebar navigation pane
- Accept Terms and Conditions
- Select one of the following options from the "Outage Description' drop-down menu
- Total loss
- Partial loss
- Pole/Line Down
- All other
- Additional comments (not required)
- Submit form
- Call 855-938-3496 to report an electric outage.
- Call 844-330-0763 to report a gas outage.
- Enroll in text messages within your SmartHub account service notification settings.
- Text OUT to 855-938-3496 to report an outage.
- Text STATUS to get an update on the estimated restoration time.
Once enrolled, a message will be automatically sent when an outage is detected at your service address. You will receive a message when power has been restored.
Tip: Add CoServ to your contacts for quick reference!
Note: This is a text-only number.
Power Line Safety Education
Practicing good safety habits around power lines will keep you and your loved ones safe! CoServ's Energy Education Team has several interactive presentations available to educate First Responders, school classrooms and other groups. Please visit the CoServ.com/Presentations page for more details.