Press Release

PUC Marks National Electrical Safety Month with Urgent Storm Safety Message

Published on 5/22/2025

Filed under: Electric

Recent Fatalities Highlight Dangers of Downed Power Lines Following Severe Storms

HARRISBURG – As Pennsylvania observes National Electrical Safety Month this May, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is issuing an urgent call for public vigilance around downed power lines and storm-related electrical hazards, following a series of tragic fatalities in recent weeks.

Severe storms that swept across Pennsylvania in late April left more than 500,000 homes and businesses without power and caused widespread infrastructure damage — and sadly, three Pennsylvanians lost their lives during recent storm-related incidents that remain under active investigation by the PUC’s Electric Safety Division.

“These recent deaths are heartbreaking — and a sobering reminder of how quickly danger can strike when electricity and storm damage intersect,” said PUC Vice Chair Kimberly Barrow. “Our thoughts are with the families of Gelin Tong, Bryce Lowman, and David Lepinsky, who were lost during these devastating storms. While the exact circumstances are still being investigated, we highlight these tragedies to help others recognize the invisible but potentially deadly risks that can follow severe weather.”

In a typical year, Pennsylvania averages five electrical contact fatalities statewide — so this recent series of deaths over a short period of time underscores the unusual severity of recent storms, along with the often unseen but potentially deadly hazards related to storms and power lines.

Storm Safety: What Everyone Should Know

When storms strike, downed wires can energize the ground up to 35 feet away — even farther in wet conditions.

The PUC and national experts urge residents to follow these critical safety tips:

• Always assume any downed wire is live. Stay at least 35 feet away and keep others back.
• Never touch or move a downed line — not even with non-metal objects.
• Do not drive over downed wires or through water or debris that may hide them.
• If a wire falls on your car, stay inside. Call 911 and wait for emergency responders.
• If fire forces you to exit a vehicle, jump clear with feet together and shuffle away without lifting your feet.
• Call 9-1-1 if you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact with the downed line, but do not touch the person.
• Report all downed wires to your electric utility immediately and call 9-1-1 to report safety hazards.

Ongoing Prevention and Awareness

Electrical Safety Month also coincides with Pennsylvania’s busy home improvement and construction season — when contact with overhead lines or buried utilities often leads to preventable injuries and outages. In 2024 alone, Pennsylvania reported 22 electric contact incidents, including five deaths and numerous serious injuries.

Safety Tips

The PUC offers year-round tips to help prevent accidents:

Outdoor Electrical Safety

• Call 8-1-1 before digging to mark underground lines — it’s free and lifesaving.
• Use care with ladders and long tools near overhead lines.
• Keep kites, drones, and balloons away from utility wires.
• Never run extension cords through water or snow.
  
  

Indoor & Battery Safety

• Unplug unused appliances to reduce fire risk.
• Use child-safe outlet covers to prevent shocks.
• Use only certified lithium-ion batteries and chargers.
• Never leave charging batteries unattended or in hot areas.

“Respect the Risk”

“Electricity powers our lives, but it demands respect — especially when storms bring down trees and wires across our neighborhoods,” added Vice Chair Barrow. “We hope this month’s focus on safety will help families, workers, and first responders stay alert and stay alive.”

For more information, visit the PUC’s Electric Safety page and contact your local utility company for safety support or questions about nearby infrastructure.

About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov