Power Line Safety

Roseau Electric Cooperative reminds members to always be thinking of safety regarding electricity.

Power line from aerial view
power line safety
Roseau Electric Cooperative reminds members to always be thinking of safety regarding electricity. We encourage you to be aware of the danger of electrical fires, injury and electrocution. Always stay away from downed power lines and always call 811 at least 48 hours before you dig. Please visit our links to become more aware of potential hazards and how to protect your family from these situations.

Downed Lines

Downed power line
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Downed Power Lines

Always call the cooperative if you see a downed power line, broken pole or a tree limb, kite or other debris across or near a power line. Always assume a line is energized and stay clear of it! A downed power line may still be energized even though you may not see any sparks or arcing. Stay back and stay safe!
  • NEVER touch or go near a downed power line.
  • Stay at least 30 feet away from downed lines and keep children and pets away.
  • Don't touch anything that may be touching a downed wire, such as a car or fence.
  • Call Roseau Electric at 218-463-1543 or 888-847-8840 to report downed lines.
  • If you are cleaning up after storm damage, DO NOT remove trees or tree limbs near downed lines until Roseau Electric crews have repaired the damage and has verified it's safe to do so.

Vehicle Contact

Truck in contact with a power line
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Accident with Poles/Lines

If you are involved in a vehicular accident involving a power pole or line, stay in the vehicle until emergency assistance arrives unless there is imminent danger. If the vehicle is on fire and you must evacuate, it is critical that you do not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. With both feet positioned tightly together, make sure you jump far enough away to clear the vehicle so that you land with your feet together and on the ground at the same time and then shuffle away. Keep shuffling until you are at least 30 feet away.
  • Call for help. Call 911 from your cellphone, honk your horn or roll down your window and yell for help.
  • Alert onlookers and help to stay at least 30 feet away from your vehicle until emergency crews arrive to avoid anyone else being injured.
  • Don't touch anything that may be touching a downed wire, such as a car or fence.
  • Don't attempt to move power lines or utility poles.
  • Don't rely on rubber boots, raincoats, gloves or wire cutters for protection.

Keep a Safe Distance

Parts of a power line damaged and on the ground
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Look Up! Look Out!

Whether you are playing outdoors with your children or working on landscaping projects, keep a safe distance from power lines and other equipment Roseau Electric uses to get electricity to your home. Accidentally contacting a power line can be a deadly mistake. Roseau Electric Cooperative wants members to stay safe around power lines.
  • Stay away from power lines, meters, transformers and electrical boxes.
  • Don't climb trees near power lines. If a tree comes into contact with a power line, it can become energized.
  • Don't touch anything that may be touching a downed wire, such as a car or fence.
  • Never fly kites, remote control airplanes, drones or balloons near power lines.
  • If you get something stuck in a power line, call Roseau Electric at 888-847-8840 to get it for you.
  • Keep a safe distance from overhead power lines when working with ladders, or working on a roof near the incoming power lines.
It is critical to understand how to safely exit a vehicle if it is in contact with power lines or electrical equipment. If you are involved in a vehicular accident involving a power pole or line, stay in the vehicle until emergency assistance arrives unless there is imminent danger. Watch this video to learn more about what to do when a vehicle comes in contact with a power line.
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We all want the best for the people in our lives – our family, friends, community and others. That includes you, our members. It’s why we make safety a top priority at Roseau Electric and devote time and energy to making everyone aware of important safety tips and equipment. We partner with Safe Electricity®, an award-winning, multi-media public awareness program to provide information and help complement the safety education activities of utilities and educators.
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