Answer 1: Always assume a downed power line is energized and dangerous — stay at least 100 feet away. From a safe location, warn others of the hazard, call 911 immediately and inform the operator it’s an electrical emergency. 

Dangerous weather, including wind and storms, can cause power lines to fall and can electrify puddles, wet grass and the surrounding area. Never approach or touch anyone or anything in contact with a downed power line and do not attempt to extinguish a fire near one.

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Call 911. Never throw water on an electrical fire — you could be shocked.

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To report trees growing into or near power lines, call 1-800-655-4555.

SCE works to keep trees and vegetation away from power lines and other electrical equipment to keep our communities safe. Never attempt to trim or remove trees near power lines. Call SCE at 1-800-655-4555 for help. Our “Make Safe” Program will trim trees a safe distance from power lines, allowing your qualified arborist to carry out any additional work you may require.

Learn more about keeping trees away from power lines.

Before beginning any project involving digging, always call 811. This includes anything from landscaping and irrigation to fencing and larger trenching projects. This free service is required by law and marks underground utility lines for everyone’s safety. 

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Call 911 immediately and inform the operator it’s an electrical emergency. Don’t touch anything or anyone in contact with energized equipment and warn others to stay away. Only if the person is free from the electricity source, administer first aid, including CPR if needed. Get medical help immediately as electrical burns may not be visible.

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If you doubt the safety of any electrical item, do not use it. 

When you report a problem like flickering lights, SCE will inspect its equipment. If we can't find a problem on our end, the equipment or wiring in your home may be faulty. After the inspection, we may recommend you hire a licensed professional to check out the problem. 

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Report a streetlight outage online.

Or call SCE at 1-800-611-1911.

Make a plan to keep your family safe during any type of outage. A good place to start is creating an emergency preparedness kit.

Safety on the job is critical and can be lifesaving, especially for those who work near electrical equipment. Call SCE at 1-800-611-1911 to verify voltages and determine required safety clearances. Always keep people and equipment at least six feet away, and cranes and similar equipment at least 10 feet away from both overhead power lines and electrical facilities while working. Higher voltages require greater clearance distance.

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SCE helps kids learn about electrical safety with interactive games, videos and quizzes that can be integrated into their school curriculum and daily lives.

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Most interference is caused by household equipment or a neighbor's appliances and tests in most areas have shown little or no interference from SCE power lines. If your appliances are causing the RTVI, they may be affecting your neighbors' radios and televisions as well. 

RTVI may be caused by common household appliances such as heating pads, a faulty doorbell transformer, tropical fish tank heaters and pumps, baby wipe warmers, touch lamps, dimmer switches and home lighting photocell switches.

Go to your main fuse box or circuit breaker panel with a battery-operated AM radio tuned between stations. Bring a flashlight if the box or panel is in a dark or enclosed area. Make sure the panel is in safe condition and keep the radio antenna away from any exposed conductors. 

Listen for interference on the radio. When you hear the interference on your radio, interrupt power to your home by turning off the main circuit breaker. Do not remove fuses and leave their holders exposed. 

If you continue to hear interference, the source could be in a neighboring home or building. Restore the main breaker and all other sub-breakers to "on." 

For further assistance locating the source of the interference, please call SCE at 1-800-655-4555. 

If the interference stopped when you shut off the main circuit breaker, try to locate the source of the interference in your home. With your AM radio tuned between stations, turn the main circuit breaker back on. After the interference returns, turn the circuit breakers off one at a time until the noise stops. Now turn on all the breakers except the one that stopped the noise. 

Because the source of the interference is on the circuit you turned off, check your outlets, doorbell, lights, clocks, other appliances or electrical equipment without power. 

Once you've located and removed the interfering device, your radio and television reception will return to normal.