DAMAGED POWERLINES
If you see a damaged powerlines, make the safe call
Every year, cyclone like weather during the season blow debris into powerlines, causing damage and safety hazards. It happens most during the rainy season, but we know that a cyclone and other natural disasters can happen at anytime.
It is important to be prepared and know how to respond safely as damaged powerlines can cause safety hazards and power outages for you and your neighbours.
It is important to know that if you see a fallen or damaged power pole, please call TAU’s Fault Line on phone +682 – 25257 immediately. TAU will make the area safe and work to restore power as quickly as possible.
How can you prepare your property to reduce the impact on you?
Secure loose items on your property to avoid these items being picked up by strong winds and being blown onto overhead power lines and cause serious damage to the network.
Powerline on a vehicle
If you are involved in a road accident that has caused a powerline to fall on or near your vehicle, follow these steps:
1. If possible, stay where you are and don’t open doors or get out of the car.
2. Call 999 immediately and wait for Te Aponga Uira to make the area safe.
3. If you’re unable to call 999, wait for someone passing by to report the incident for you.
Powerline on the ground
If a storm, vehicle or tree has brought down a powerline next to you or you accidently walk into an area close to a fallen powerline, follow these steps:
1. Stop where you are and don’t move. Remember, electricity wants to travel through a conductor, and human bodies are better conductors than the ground.
2. Do not walk or run away from the situation.
3. If you are able to call 999 with your mobile, do so immediately and wait for TAU to make the area safe .
4. If you are unable to call, please wait for someone passing by to call for help.
- 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
