UhOhToons · Water and cars
Power Line Falls on Car: 5 Steps to Stay Alive
Downed power line on car with your family inside? Here's how everyone stays alive.
What not to do
- Don't get out. The ground around the car can shock you.
- Don't let anyone walk up to help.
- Don't touch the wire. Not with a stick. Not with anything.
- Never touch the car and the ground at the same time.
This really happened
August 2026, Chesterfield County, Virginia: live power lines fell on a driver's Jeep. He stayed inside for about an hour until the power was cut, and walked away unhurt. Read the report
Every word of the Short
A power line just fell on your car. Sparks everywhere. Here's how your whole family stays alive. Don't get out. The ground around the car can shock you. Don't let anyone walk up to help.
One. Stay in your seat. Everybody. Kids too.
Two. Honk the horn. Roll the window down. Yell, "Stay back! Don't touch the car!" How far back? At least two car lengths. Keep kids and pets back too.
Three. Call 911. Then the power company. No phone? Ask someone outside to call.
Four. Wait. Wait for the power company to say it's safe. Don't touch the wire. Not with a stick. Not with anything.
Five. Only if the car is on fire, you get out. Take off loose stuff, like a big jacket. Open the door. Don't step out. Cross your arms. Feet together. Jump clear of the car. Never touch the car and the ground at the same time. Land on both feet. Now shuffle away. Tiny steps. Feet always touching. Can't shuffle? Hop. Feet together. Keep going, at least two car lengths. Wet ground? Twice that. Say it with me. Stay in. Honk. Call. Wait. Fire? Jump. Shuffle. Follow UhOhToons to live.
Sources
Every step in this video comes from these sources. We re-read each one before the video went out.
