Instincts can help us to avoid danger but in some situations, our natural inclinations can lead to tragic results. If your car hits a utility pole or otherwise brings a power line down, getting out of a vehicle, with few exceptions, is the wrong thing to do until the line has been de-energized.

Know the right steps to take to save your life:

• Do not attempt to drive over a downed power line.
  You are almost always better off to stay in the car, especially if the line is in contact with the vehicle.
• Call or signal for help. It is safe to use a cell phone.
  Warn others who may be nearby to stay away, and wait until the electric utility arrives to make sure power to the line is cut off.
• If the power line is still energized and you step outside, your body becomes the path to ground for that electricity, and electrocution is the tragic result. Wait until the electric utility arrives and shuts off the power.
• The only exception would be if a fire or other danger, like the smell of gasoline, is present. In that case, the proper action is to jump—not step—with both feet hitting the ground at the same time. Jump clear. Do not allow any part of your body to touch the vehicle and ground at the same time.
• Even if a power line has landed on the ground, there is still the potential for the area near your car to be energized. Stay inside the vehicle unless there is fire or imminent risk of fire.
• The same rules apply to situations involving farm equipment and construction equipment that comes in contact with overhead lines. Those working with large equipment should stay inside the vehicle if equipment extensions come in contact with power lines.

If you see downed power lines, or other damaged electrical equipment, report to the Amana Society Service Co. as soon as possible because the lines could still be live.

• Accidents, severe storms, and other disasters can cause power lines to come down. With one wrong move before, during, or after a disaster, a life can be lost. Know the right steps to take to keep you and your family safe.
• Stay away, and instruct others to do the same. Treat all power lines as if they are energized until there is certainty that power has been disconnected. 
• Power lines do not have to be arcing or sparking to be live and dangerous.
• Downed power lines, stray wires, and debris in contact with them all have the potential to deliver a fatal shock. Stay clear of fallen power lines and damaged areas that could hide a hazard. Be alert during clean-up efforts.
• Any power line that is dead could become energized at any moment due to power restoration or backup generators.
• A bike ride, thunderstorm, and downed power lines story.

• Never step into a flooded basement or other room if water may be in contact with electrical outlets, appliances, or cords.
• Never attempt to turn off power at the breaker box if you must stand in water to do so. If you cannot reach your breaker box safely, call your electric utility to shut off power at the meter.
• Never use electric appliances or touch electric wires, switches, or fuses when you are wet or standing in water.
• Keep electric tools and equipment at least 10 feet away from wet surfaces. Do not use electric yard tools if it is raining or the ground is wet.
• Electric motors can be damaged when wet and should not be used after a storm until they have been inspected and approved by a professional. It may be necessary to have some of them repaired or replaced.
• A good safety measure is to have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) professionally installed on outlets. GFCIs are recommended for outdoor outlets and outlets near wet areas of the home such as kitchens, baths, and laundry rooms.

• Make sure you know how to operate the generator safely. Unsafe operation can threaten you, your family, neighbors and even the linemen working to restore power. Unsafe installation or operation may also result in a lawsuit and your insurance may not cover your liability.
• Temporary-use generators should not be connected to the circuit breaker or fuse box and should not be plugged into a household outlet. Portable generators should only be used with heavy-duty extension cords, rated for the wattage of the load being connected.
• Permanently installed generators should be wired into your home by a qualified electrician, using a transfer switch that prevents potentially deadly back-feed.
• Generators should only be operated outside a home to prevent toxic and potentially deadly exhaust from entering a home. Keep them away from children and pets. 
• When starting a generator, disconnect all appliances that might be connected to it. That will not only protect them but prevent a fuse from being blown on the generator. 
• Connect appliances to your portable generator after it has been started. Use only three-prong plugs that allow connections to be grounded.
• When refueling generators, allow the engine to cool in order to prevent a fire should the gas tank overflow.

• Home safety electrical tips

• Water safety video