Safety Around Power Lines
Keep your distance from power lines at all times to stay protected.
Power lines are intentionally installed out of reach (or buried in the ground) to prevent contact. To reduce your risk of contact, remember to:
- Keep Mylar baloons secured. If they float into power lines, they can cause power outages, fires, even injuries.
- Look up when carrying a ladder to ensure you don’t make contact with a line. Use fiberglass or wooden ladders instead of metal
- Fly kites, model airplanes or toy drones away from overhead wires in open, dry areas. Avoid kites made with wire, metal or foil
- Call before you dig. Call 1-800-DIG-SAFE in Kansas and 1-800-DIG-RITE in Missouri to find out where power lines and other utilities are buried before you start any digging project
Downed Power Lines
All downed power lines are shock hazards (even if they don't hum or spark). Assume that all downed power lines are live.
Report a downed line immediately and follow these tips:
- Stay at least 30 feet away, and don't touch anything (or anyone) touching a downed line. That includes phone or cable lines, utility poles, vehicles, metal fences, ladders, trees or the ground
- Be aware of downed lines that may be covered up by debris or downed trees
- Stay clear of damp ground and standing puddles
What if a power line falls on your car while you're in it?
Stay inside and wait for help. If you must get out because of imminent danger (like a fire):
- Do not step out of the vehicle, and do not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time
- Jump clear of the vehicle, landing with feet together
- Shuffle away with small steps, keeping feet close together and on the ground
- Continue shuffling to a safe distance away
Find more tips on how to stay safe around downed lines and other electrical equipment during power outages.
Trees Around Power Lines
Managing the impact of trees on power lines helps prevent outages and severe weather issues. That's why we have a team dedicated to vegetation maintenance year-round.
- Do not attempt to cut down or trim trees that are near power lines. Get help from our tree trimming team
If you have any sort of vegetation (trees, branches, bushes, etc.) near a power line that runs from the pole to your meter, fill out a vegetation request or call 888-471-5275 to schedule a line clearance request.
Learn more about our year-round tree trimming maintenance that keeps communities safe (and preserves the beauty of trees).
