Do you and your employees know how to respond to an energy emergency involving electricity or natural gas? Read on to learn how to keep your customers and employees safe.

Alliant Energy emergency contact information

Downed power lines

Report downed power lines to your electric company immediately.
Never let an employee or customer touch or drive over a downed line - even an experienced line mechanic can't tell if a line is energized just by looking at it.
Avoid touching anything a downed line is contacting, especially metal fences and equipment.
If the power line hits a vehicle, instruct the driver to stay in the car until help arrives.

Electrical contact accidents

Always seek medical help for an electrical contact accident, no matter how minor it appears. Electricity burns from the inside out, so injuries might not be visible. In addition, the heart can be affected several hours later.
If someone comes in contact with an energized wire or power line, do not touch the victim until you're sure the current has been turned off - you could become part of the circuit. Unplug the device or cut power at the service panel first.
When you're sure the power has been cut, administer CPR if the victim isn't breathing.
If the victim is in shock, loosen clothing and keep him or her horizontal and warm. Burns should be treated only by medical professionals.

Electrical fires

If possible, shut off the power at the main service panel.
Never use water on an electrical fire - use a multipurpose fire extinguisher.
When calling 911, be sure to tell the dispatcher it's an electrical fire.

Natural gas leaks

A natural gas leak will have an odor of rotten eggs. If the aroma is faint, check pilot lights and range burners to make sure they're working properly or turned off.
If the rotten egg smell is strong or comes on suddenly, get everyone out of the building immediately. Do not use the phone or touch switches, lamps or anything else that might create a spark. Do not try to find the source of the leak yourself.
Once you're clear of the building, call your gas company or 911 from a cell phone or a neighboring business. Do not use a cordless phone - the base unit inside could create a spark.

Carbon monoxide

Be aware of the warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning: it starts with flu-like symptoms of headache, nausea and fatigue, progressing to memory lapses, slurred speech and loss of consciousness. CO poisoning will affect everyone in the vicinity, and symptoms may disappear when the victims are away from the building.
If a CO alarm goes off, check the digital read-out. If the level is below 100 parts per million (ppm), open windows to let air circulate and call to have gas equipment inspected right away.
If the level reads more than 100 parts per million, evacuate the building and call for assistance from a neighboring business.

Alliant Energy emergency contact information