DAMAGED PILLAR BOX
Pillar boxes are mainly in areas with underground power cables, in front of your property or on the road side. These assets are important because they house the electrical wiring that supplies power to your property.
They are tough and provide a high level of protection to the wiring inside, however its important to know that a damaged pillar box is dangerous. If you have cracked or broken a pillar box on your property, stay clear and call TAU’s Fault Line phone: +682 – 25257.
Frequently Asked Questions – Pillar Box
You may have seen a pillar box on your property.
Pillar boxes play an important role in delivering electricity to customers, it is the point of connection between your property and the distribution network. It serves the same purpose as the power poles that run overhead power cables, except these cables are underground.
If your vehicle has hit a pillar box, it is important you stay inside your vehicle or stay clear of the area and call emergency services. Wires carrying potentially life threatening amounts of electricity may be in contact with the vehicle which may energise it.
The safest option is stay inside your vehicle if possible until help arrives. If its unsafe to stay in your vehicle, jump well clear keeping both feet together. Do not touch the vehicle and ground at the same time then shuffle away keeping both feet together.
If you witness someone else or you damage a pillar box, report it to TAU on Ph: +682-25257.
Note: a damaged pillar box is as dangerous as a fallen power pole.
- Call emergency services on 999
- Call TAU’s Fault Line on phone: +682 – 25257
- Keep bystanders clear
- Wait for TAU to attend to make the area safe
If you see a fallen overhead cable or pole, always assume that it is live. Do not go near it, touch it or anything that is in contact with it. Electricity from powerlines can jump or ‘arc’ through the air and travel to earth through your body, resulting in an electric shock.
In the event of an electrical accident involving power lines:
- in a life threatening emergency, call emergency services on 999.
- phone TAU’s dedicated Fault Line on phone:+682 – 25257 to report a fallen power line and to make the area safe.
- do not go near an injured person if it means going near the powerlines.
- standback and urge the other bystanders to keep a safe distance of at least 8 metres.
- do not approach the area until TAU Network Field Services have made the area safe.
Note: In addition to the fallen powerlines, there may also be damage to support structures and equipment. It may not be easy to see damage to structures, so always keep a safe distance.
To avoid electrical incidents within the home, we encourage customers to have their electrical wiring checked regularly by a qualified Cook Islands Electrical Contractor and replace any faulty appliances in the home.
If an electrical accident occurs in the home:
- in a life threatening emergency, call emergency services on 999.
- do not go near the injured person/s if they are still in contact with the electrical current.
- if the area is safe, check the injured person/s for response, airway, breathing and circulation. If necessary start resuscitation. Do not touch burns, break blisters or remove burned clothing.
- always seek medical advice after an electric shock, even if injury is not apparent.
- please contact a qualified Cook Islands Electrical Contractor to check the wiring and establish the cause of the incident.
If your vehicle is in contact with a power pole and brings down the powerline it is safest to remain in the vehicle and wait for emergency services to arrive. As a guide:
turn the vehicle off to cut the fuel supply.
call emergency services on 999 ( emergency services will contact TAU to make the area safe).
if possible remain in the vehicle until the power has been isolated and the area has been made safe
If you have any questions, feel free to contact our customer support team
FAULT LINE 24/7
+682-25257
Tutakimoa, Rarotonga
Cook Islands.
Phone: +682-20054 | Email: enquiries@electricity.co.ck
