Lines down? Stay away.
Fallen power lines? Stay away, stay safe
- Call 0800 10 40 40 or 111 immediately
- Keep everyone and animals at least 10 metres away
- Treat all lines as live until advised by Northpower
- Never attempt to touch or move a fallen line or objects near it
- Do not assume fallen or low lines are telephone lines
Power lines on vehicles? Stay inside, stay safe
If a vehicle is involved in an accident where power lines have fallen down, here’s how to stay safe:
- Stay in the car if it’s safe to do so
- Call 111 or Northpower on 0800 10 40 40 and wait for the area to be declared safe
- If you have to get out, jump clear with both feet together and shuffle at least 10 metres away
- Never touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time
Commonly asked questions
Always assume any fallen or low-hanging line is a live power line. The safest approach is to treat every line as dangerous and keep at least 10 metres away until Northpower confirms it is safe.
A line can be live and deadly even if it appears intact or shows no visible signs of damage. Electricity can travel through the ground, water, and conductive materials like metal fences. Never approach, touch, or attempt to move any fallen line, and always maintain a 10-metre safety distance.
Keep all animals at least 10 metres away from fallen lines. Call Northpower on 0800 10 40 40 or 111 immediately. Do not attempt to move livestock or rescue pets, never put yourself in danger trying to protect or retrieve animals.
When you call 0800 10 40 40 or 111, Northpower will dispatch a crew to assess and make the area safe as quickly as possible. The crew will isolate the power supply, secure the area, and repair or remove the fallen line. Response times depend on weather conditions, crew availability, and the severity of the situation. Keep yourself and others at least 10 metres away while you wait.
Never drive over, under, or around fallen power lines. If a line has fallen across your driveway or access road, maintain a 10-metre safety distance and call Northpower on 0800 10 40 40 or 111. Wait for Northpower crews to arrive and make the area safe before attempting to leave.
Learn more about staying safe together
Safe guy wires
Safe service lines
