SRP demonstrates how dangerous electric shock is and how can harm the body without protective gear. Courtsey of SRP


It's that time of year when gusts from monsoon storms can uproot mature trees as if they were weeds and topple power poles as if they were matchsticks.

Both scenarios are dangerous, but the added potential of coming into contact with an electrical current can make it deadly.

How does electric shock harm?

Electric shock can severely harm a person's internal tissue and result in severe burns. Cardiac arrest, difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness are all effects of electric shock.

More than 300 workers in the United States die each year from exposure to electrical hazards.

What to do around downed power lines

Salt River Project recommends that no one ever touch downed power lines or try to move them, as electricity could still be coursing through them. If people spot fallen power lines or power poles, SRP says they should immediately alert authorities.

Also, it's advised that people stay at least 100 feet away from fallen power poles, because electricity can travel through the ground.

What if a power line falls on my car?


SRP demonstrates what to do if a powerline falls on your car. Courtesy of SRP

If a power line falls onto a vehicle as a result of a storm or an accident, SRP officials suggest that people stay in their car until professional help arrives.

If the vehicle catches on fire, one should avoid simultaneously making contact with their car and the ground as they escape, SRP said.

Instead, officials recommend that people jump from the vehicle and aim to land on both feet, as this stance increases the likelihood that electricity will travel through one foot and out the other.

From there, people should hop — yes, like a bunny — or shuffle away until they are a safe distance away. Hopping and shuffling allows voltage to remain the same in each leg, reducing the chance of electric shock.

To find more monsoon safety tips visit


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