Electrical Safety

Learn the answers to the six questions below. It may save you or a loved one’s life!  

How close can you come to a downed powerline, such as a downed powerline caused by a storm or accident? 

School Bus
  • Maintain a distance of 10 metres (33 feet/the length of a school bus)
  • If you see a downed powerline, call 911 and Oakville Hydro (905-825-9400) ASAP

 

If you were undertaking outdoor activities, such as cleaning windows or trimming trees, how close can you safely come to an overhead powerline with your body or an object? 

  • YouTube video screenshot
    Maintain a distance of at least 3 metres or more from overhead powerlines
  • It's very dangerous to be near to or make contact with an overhead powerline. You don’t have to contact a powerline directly for it to seriously injure or kill you.
  • Click here to watch an informative video on our YouTube channel
How dangerous do you believe it is to touch an overhead powerline (with your body or an object?)
Powerline Safety
  • Very dangerous!  It is dangerous to get closer than 3 metres (10 feet) to overhead powerlines!
  • You don’t have to contact a powerline directly for it to seriously injure or kill you. Stay back at least 3 metres (10 feet).
  • Anything that touches a powerline – a pruning tool, the tree limb or your hand can give you a shock or kill you. Stay back 3 metres (10 feet).
  • Click here to watch an informative video on our YouTube channel

 

If you are in a vehicle and an overhead powerline comes down on top of it, what should you do?
Powerline on Car YouTube
  • STAY IN THE VEHICLE UNTIL POWER HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED. Your car and ground around it can be electrified if a power line falls on it. Stay in the car, call 911 and tell others to stay far back!
  • Powerlines in contact with your car can electrify the ground around it for 10 metres in all directions. Stay in your car and call 911.
  • If you must exit the car due to fire, jump clear of the car with both feet together
  • Click here to watch an informative video on our YouTube channel
If you were undertaking a household activity that required digging, such as planting a tree or building a deck, how likely are you to call to locate electrical or other underground lines?
  • ON1Call Statistic
    Definitely! Call before you dig - it's the law and it could save your life.
  • Contact Ontario One Call at least 5 business days before you plan to dig
  • Request a locate online at this link or call Ontario One Call 24/7 at 1-800-400-2255
  • Click here to watch an informative video on our YouTube channel
How dangerous is it to try to open, remove contents, or touch electrical equipment located in steel cabinets (pad-mounted transformers)? 
Pad-Mounted Transformer blocked by grass
  • Very dangerous! Inside, steel cabinets can have up to 27,699 V of electricity. 
  • Trying to open, remove contents of touching the electrical equipment is very dangerous! 
  • Keep the area around the steel cabinet clear from obstructions, including landscaping
  • Click here to watch an informative video on our YouTube channel