In an Emergency

Electricity

Power lines sometimes droop or come down during high winds and storms because of falling trees or branches. Treat any fallen power lines as live, at all times.

If lines are down, you should:

• Call Powerco on 0800 27 27 27 or the emergency services on 111 immediately
• Stay at least 10 metres away from downed lines
• Keep away from any trees and branches touching them
• Keep children and other people away from lines
• Leave people or animals trapped by fallen lines until emergency crews have given you the all-clear, or you may get seriously hurt.

Vehicles and fallen power lines

If you are in a vehicle and power lines fall onto it, you should:

• Stay inside until you are rescued. If you get out of the vehicle you could be electrocuted
• Call 111 if you have a mobile phone. If you have no phone, stay in the vehicle until help arrives.

If you are forced to get out of the vehicle because of imminent danger, such as a fire, you should: 

• Jump as far away from the vehicle as you can, keeping your feet together when you land. You should never touch the car and the ground at the same time, or you could be electrocuted
• Once you clear the vehicle, hop away, keeping both feet on the ground at the same time.

If you see a vehicle that has hit a power pole, do not try to rescue people or animals until emergency crews have given you the all-clear.

Gas

If you have a gas emergency – a ruptured gas pipe, the sound gas hissing or a consistent and strong smell of gas, you should:

• Move away from the area quickly. Go as far as you can until you cannot smell it anymore
• Warn others to keep clear
• Once clear of the smell, call emergency services on 111 or Powerco on 0800 111 848 to report the incident.

Smell of gas inside a building

If you smell gas inside a house or building, you should:

• Leave electrical appliances as they are and do not turn them off or on
• Do not operate any electrical switches, appliances, and/or electronic equipment, eg mobile phone
• Extinguish any naked flames and stop anyone from smoking in the area
• If possible, turn off the gas supply valve at the gas meter
• If the smell of gas stops after turning off the gas meter contact a gasfitter to repair your installation and relight your appliances
• If the smell of gas remains after turning off the gas meter or you cannot turn off the supply immediately, contact your retailer or phone Powerco on 0800 111 848
• Evacuate the building leaving door(s) open and move to a safe location away from the smell of gas.

If you feel anyone may be at risk, or it’s in a public area, contact emergency services on 111.

Smell of gas outdoors

If you smell gas outdoors, you should:

• Call Powerco on 0800 111 848, your retailer or the emergency services on 111
• Turn off all plant and machinery if it is safe to do so
• Extinguish any naked flames and stop anyone from smoking in the area
• Close windows and doors to prevent gas from entering any buildings
• Do not attempt to repair or stop the leak