A woman was electrocuted when live wires came down on her car in Fanwood, New Jersey during storms on Monday, July 18, 2016.
What would you do if a power line fell across your car?
FANWOOD, N.J. — A woman was electrocuted Monday afternoon when wires fell down on her car in Fanwood, New Jersey during storms that swept through the area.
CBS New York reports that around 4:30 p.m., witnesses said a woman was driving down Midway Avenue in Fanwood, when she tried to avoid a tree that had fallen before.
Wires fell down on the woman’s car, and she was killed by the live electricity when she attempted to get out of the vehicle, officials said.
Tips to Avoid Getting Injured
First, never assume that a downed wire is not “live”! Even if a downed line isn’t actively sparking, always assume it is carrying electricity.
- Stay inside your car and call 9-1-1
- STAY IN THE CAR UNTIL HELP ARRIVES
- If you absolutely must exit the car in an emergency situation (such as a fire), follow the next steps to safely leave the car.
- Gently open a door all the way, being careful not to touch anything metal or the power line itself.
- Position your body so that you’re facing the ground.
- Jump out of the car and land on both feet at the same time with your arms folded across your chest. Jump clear of the vehicle so that you do not touch any part of the car and the ground at the same time.
- Shuffle your feet across the ground or hop with both feet touching the ground until you reach a safe distance away from the car.
- Stay away from the car and wait for help to arrive.
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