Avoid Touch and Step Potential

Step potential and shuffleTo avoid touch potential, never touch anyone or anything that may be in contact with a source of electricity. If you do, you will become a victim as well. Wait until the electricity is turned off before attempting a rescue.

Do not touch downed power lines or anything they are touching, which may include:

  • Phone or cable lines
  • Utility poles
  • Vehicles
  • Metal fences
  • Ladders
  • Trees
  • The ground

To avoid step potential near an energized, grounded object, shuffle away with small steps, keeping your feet close together and on the ground at all times.

Keeping your feet together ensures that the voltage remains the same between them, minimizing the electrical potential.