When looking at damaged poles and line, how can I tell the difference between downed telephone, cable television and electrical lines? How can I tell if standing water with wires in it is electrified?

You can’t! Consider all cables and wires energized, whether electrical, cable television or telephone. After a storm any wire can be energized if it falls or gets wrapped around an energized line, whether a few feet or a block away. If a line is in water, there is even more reason to be cautious. Consider it and the water energized. Learn more with our electrical safety videos.