LADWP GEARS UP FOR FIRST MAJOR STORM OF THE SEASON AND REMINDS CUSTOMERS TO ALWAYS PUT SAFETY FIRST
LOS ANGELES- The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is preparing for the forecasted rain and wind. The Department has crews ready for any weather related outages or downed wires and has the ability to cal in additional crews and customer service personnel should circumstances warrant.
The first major storm of a season may cause tree branches and debris to fall on electrical wires, thus causing power outages. The LADWP will be ready to respond to any situations.
To the unsuspecting person, power lines look harmless enough. Yet coming in contact with power lines or other electrical equipment can cause serious injuries or even death. The lines often carry thousands of volts of electricity. That magnitude of electricity can seriously harm or even kill a person who touches or even comes close to a wire. The hazard is the same whether the person touches a wire directly or does so with any object.
“The message is don’t go near power lines, whether they are on poles or have fallen on the ground,” says LADWP Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David Nahai. “During wild weather, the winds and rain cause havoc for power poles and lines which are often knocked down by fallen trees or other hazards. In the event of power outages, Los Angeles residents can be assured that LADWP crews are on call around the clock to make needed repairs and restore power.”
The LADWP recommends the following electric safety tips:
Downed Power Lines
-Never touch a downed or dangling wire or anyone or anything in contact with it. Always assume a downed line is still energized. Report any downed power lines immediately by calling the LADWP at 1-800-DIAL-DWP. If you or someone else is in danger, call 911.
-Don’t touch anyone in contact with a power source – you could be killed or seriously injured. Instead, turn off power at the control panel. Then call for help and tell them it’s an electrical injury.
-If a power line falls on your car, stay in the car and wait for help. If you must get out, make sure you do not touch the metal parts of the car and the ground at the same time. The safest method is to open the door, stand on the door sill and jump free without touching the car.
-Stay away from metal fences, such as a chain link fence – there may be a power line down and touching the fence somewhere beyond your sight.
-If there is damage to the connection from the power pole to your house, you should go to the electrical box and turn off the main switch or shut off the fuse switch. Again, always assume electric lines are live.
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-In case of an electrical emergency, stay calm and think before you act. Don’t become a victim while trying to help others. Call 911.
-If someone is shocked or not breathing, apply cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Then cover the victim with a blanket, keep their head low and get medical attention.
-The following tips can help you and your family stay safe in the event of an extended power outage.
-To report a power outage, call the LADWP 24-hour hotline at 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397). Please be patient, we may be experiencing delays due to the high volume of calls.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was established more than 100 years ago to provide a reliable and safe water and electric supply to the city’s businesses and residents. For more information, call 1-800-DIAL-DWP, or log on to www.ladwp.com.
