When to call 911
Emergency?
Call 911 or your local emergency services immediately for:
- natural gas leak
- carbon monoxide (CO) alarm goes off
- downed power line
- person or equipment touches a power line
- electrical fire
If you smell natural gas
Natural gas smells like rotten eggs. If you smell natural gas or suspect a natural gas leak, evacuate people and pets out of the area immediately.
- If exiting a building, leave the doors open as you exit.
- From a safe place, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.
- Don't smoke or light matches or lighters.
- Don't operate electrical switches, appliances, phones, or vehicles or create any other source of ignition or sparks.
Learn more about natural gas
If your CO alarm sounds
If your CO alarm sounds or you suspect CO poisoning, evacuate people and pets immediately.
- From a safe place, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.
Learn more about carbon monoxide (CO) safety
Power lines
If you see a damaged or fallen power line, stay at least 10 m away and call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.
- Treat all downed lines as if they were energized. Stay away from them and anything that they touch, including water.
Overhead power line safety
Overhead power lines can be hazardous around large equipment. Watch to learn how to be safe around overhead power lines and what to do if you contact one.
Video: 1:42
If a person or equipment touches an overhead power line, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. Do not touch a person in contact with a power line.
If your equipment contacts an overhead power line
- Remain in the vehicle or equipment unless there is a fire.
- In the case of a fire, exit the vehicle. Go to the edge of the door, cross your arms, jump clear of the equipment, and hop away with both feet together.
Learn more about power lines
Tree contact
Emergency line contact
Call 911 if a tree is touching overhead lines or hydro poles AND is:
- smoking, sparking or burning
- making a loud zapping or popping noises
Stay at least 10 m away. Do not trim the tree or move any power lines.
Learn more about tree trimming