When the Storm Clears, the Deadliest Dangers Are Just Beginning: Why Power Line Safety Must Be Your First Priority

After a storm passes through your community, the immediate relief of surviving nature’s fury can quickly turn into a false sense of security. While the winds have died down and the rain has stopped, some of the most lethal hazards are just beginning to reveal themselves. Storm damage causes dangers that lurk after a storm has passed, and many of these electrical safety hazards remain long after the storm itself has passed.

The Hidden Killer: Understanding Power Line Dangers

Lines do not have to be arcing or sparking to be live. Any utility wire, including telephone or cable lines sagging or down could be in contact with an energized power line making they also very dangerous. This fundamental misunderstanding has proven fatal for countless homeowners who assumed a quiet, still wire posed no threat.

The voltage carried by typical power lines ranges between 4,800 volts and 13,200 volts. To put this in perspective, the voltage used in the electric chair for death penalty situations was between 5,000 and 200 volts. These numbers should give every homeowner pause before considering any DIY approach to storm cleanup involving power lines.

Why DIY Storm Cleanup Around Power Lines Is Never Worth the Risk

Downed power lines pose a serious electrocution hazard and working near power lines is dangerous and puts you at risk of electrocution. The statistics are sobering: overhead power line contact is the leading cause of workplace electrocution deaths, accounting for 48.2% of all electrical fatalities.

Even seemingly simple tasks become deadly traps. A downed power line can energize things around it, such as chain link fences and metal culverts. Any amount of water—even a puddle—could become energized. Be careful not to touch water—or anything in contact with the water—near where there is a downed power line.

The Deceptive Nature of “Dead” Lines

One of the most dangerous misconceptions homeowners hold is that a power line that appears inactive is safe to handle. A line that’s indeed “dead” could become energized during power restoration efforts or improper use of generators. Assume any downed or low-hanging power lines is energized and dangerous. An energized line may not spark, smoke or make any noise.

The ground around power lines – up to 35 feet away – may be energized. You cannot tell whether or not a power line is energized just by looking at it. You should assume that all downed power lines are live.

What Homeowners Must Never Attempt

The list of activities that homeowners should never undertake around power lines is extensive and non-negotiable:

• DO NOT remove a tree limb or other object from a power line.
• Do not attempt to pull tree limbs off lines.
• Cutting down a tree next to power lines is never a DIY job, and trying to cut trees near power lines yourself can create many safety hazards.
• Never approach or attempt to move a line under any circumstances.
• Do not drive over downed power lines.

The Professional Solution: When to Call the Experts

Any kind of tree clearing near power lines must be handled by trained technicians. This is where professional tree services become not just helpful, but essential for your safety and legal protection.

For Long Island residents, Green Light Tree Services understands these unique challenges. As the premier provider of tree services on Long Island, they provide residential and commercial clients with top-quality tree removal and maintenance solutions with a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals. Their certified arborists know which trees thrive in Nassau and Suffolk County conditions and which ones pose risks to your home, power lines, or neighbors.

When storms strike, professional Storm Damage Cleanup services become critical. As a fully licensed and insured company, they are committed to customer satisfaction and safety, and they prioritize safety in everything they do, taking extra precautions to ensure that your property is protected throughout the process.

Immediate Actions: What to Do Right Now

If you encounter a downed power line during storm cleanup, your immediate actions could save lives:

1. Call 911 if you see a downed power line. Stay at least 30 feet away.
2. Stay away, warn others to stay away and contact the electric utility.
3. The proper way to move away from the power line is to shuffle away with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times. This will minimize the potential for a strong electric shock.
4. Steer clear of the area and contact your utility company immediately.

The Cost of Professional Safety

While professional storm cleanup services require an investment, the alternative costs are immeasurable. Serious injury and death can result from standing near, walking near or contacting downed power lines. Any kind of tree clearing near power lines must be handled by trained technicians. Don’t try any kind of cleanup on your own, even on your own property, until the pros have finished working and deem the area safe.

Green Light Tree Services offers 24/7 emergency tree removal services, available even during storms. With over 17 years of experience in providing routine and emergency tree services in Suffolk County, NY, they are fully licensed and insured, so you can rest easy knowing your property is in good hands.

Your Life Is Worth More Than Any Cleanup Cost

Storm cleanup around power lines isn’t about saving money or proving your DIY capabilities—it’s about ensuring you’re alive to see another day. Contact with a downed power line can be extremely dangerous and can result in serious injuries or even death. A person can be electrocuted by direct contact with a downed power line, or through indirect contact by touching something the power line contacts.

When the storm clears and cleanup begins, remember that the most dangerous phase may just be starting. Leave power line hazards to the professionals who have the training, equipment, and experience to handle these deadly situations safely. Your family’s safety depends on making the right choice.