Down is NOT DEAD!

If it's Down, It's a Danger, Dial 911

We are entering the season of strong winds, cold weather and power outages. Trees can fall on power lines; snow and ice buildup can also be problematic despite BC Hydro’s recent and ongoing tree maintenance program on our island.

If anything makes contact with an energized line such as a tree limb,  or if a broken power line falls to the ground or lands on a vehicle or fence, electricity will flow to the ground and spread out in irregular concentric circles. This is known as the Ripple Effect. Stay back at least 10 metres (length of a bus) and dial 911.

There may be a misconception that a downed power line on the ground or hung up on a tree or fence etc is safe if there are no sparks or flames. This is untrue and can kill you.

Power can be restored to a downed line from a Hydro reconnection in North Oyster or back-fed from a home generator on Thetis or Penelakut. You have no way of knowing when or if this would occur and the result could be fatal if you are within 10 metres of the downed line.

We cannot stress enough the danger of downed power lines. If you find one on the road, stay in your vehicle, back up 100 metres, put on your flashers and dial 911. Use your vehicle to block the road until the Fire Dept. arrives. If you are out walking and you come across a downed power line, carefully retreat (shuffle away, don't lift your feet) and call 911 from your position of safety and flag cars to stop.

Never drive or walk near or over downed power lines. Always obey Fire Dept. Traffic Control members who are there to keep everyone safe. Your decisions can put your life at risk plus the lives of our volunteer fire department.

Remember the 3 Ds - Down, Danger, Dial 911

Sponsored by both TIVFD & TIRRA