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How To Act Around Downed Power Lines

Ever wonder what to do if a live power line falls on your car, or on the sidewalk or in the street? Easy. Stay inside or stay away, according to Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L). And call for help, either from the utility or first responders.

JCP&L on its website offers this advice for staying safe in downed-wire scenarios:

If a wire falls on your vehicle while you're inside it, stay inside until help arrives.

If you see a wire fall on a vehicle, do not touch the vehicle. Stay away from the site. Call JCP&L at 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877), or call the local police or fire department.

If a downed line is near or in water, stay well away. Don't go near it. Don't touch it. Don't drive over it. Don't walk over it. Stay. Away. Again, call JCP&L or the local police or fire department.

Never ever walk or drive over a downed power line.

Also, never stand beneath or around trees or utility poles during or after a storm. Tree limbs, power lines and utility poles can be weakened from the storm but not fall until hours or days later.

For more information about power-line safety, check out JCP&L's website, which has a trove of information from the utility's parent company, First Energy Corp.

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