Always call the Cooperative if you see a downed power line, broken pole, or a tree limb, kite or other debris across or near a power line.  Always assumed a line is energized and stay clear of it! A downed power line may still be energized even though you may not see any sparks or arcing. Stay back and stay safe!

• NEVER touch or go near a downed power line
• Stay at least 30 feet away from downed lines and keep children and pets away.
• Don't touch anything that may be touching a downed wire, such as a car or fence.
• Call Beltrami Electric at 444-2540 or 800-955-6083 to report downed lines.
• If you are cleaning up after storm damage, DO NOT remove trees or tree limbs near downed lines until BEC crews have repaired the damage and has verified it's safe to do so.

If you are involved in a vehicular accident involving a power pole or line, stay in the vehicle until emergency assistance arrives unless their is imminent danger.  If the vehicle is on fire and you must evacuate, it is critical that you do not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. With both feet positioned tightly together, make sure you jump far enough away to clear the vehicle so that you land with your feet together and on the ground at the same time and then shuffle away. Keep shuffling until you are at least 30 feet away.

• Call for help. Call 911 from your cell phone, honk your horn or roll down your window and yell for help.
• Alert onlookers and help to stay at least 30 feet away from your vehicle until emergency crews arrive to avoid anyone else being injured.
• Don't attempt to move power lines or utility poles.
• Don't rely on rubber boots, raincoats, gloves or wire cutters for protection.

Whether you are playing outdoors with your children or working on landscaping projects, keep a safe distance from power lines and other equipment Beltrami Electric uses to get electricity to your home. Accidentally contacting a power line can be a deadly mistake. Beltrami Electric Cooperative wants members to stay safe around power lines.

• Stay away from power lines, meters, transformers and electrical boxes.
• Don't climb trees near power lines. If a tree comes into contact with a power line, it can become energized.
• Never fly kites, remote control airplanes, drones or balloons near power lines.
• If you get something stuck in a power line, call Beltrami Electric at 800-955-6083 to get it for you.
• Keep a safe distance from over head power lines when working with ladders, or working on a roof near the incoming power lines.