Winds can cause power lines to sway, which may result in short circuits that interrupt service. Other weather events can also affect electric lines, including hurricanes and tornadoes that can knock over tree limbs or entire trees that fall on utility poles.

Winter storms can be particularly dangerous because snow and ice can make wires and power poles break. If you see a power line down in your neighborhood, report it to the utility company immediately and stay away from any objects that are in contact with it, like fences, bushes or puddles of water.

If you find a downed power line, slowly shuffle away from it as you move your feet to avoid touching it. Don't lift your feet because that could disperse the electricity and create a pathway for it to travel through your body.

When you're in an area where a power line is down, keep your eyes open for signs of a flash or spark. These can indicate a potential fire or that the line is not in good condition and may need to be repaired.

A flash is a moment a lightning bolt strikes a power line and creates a large electrical current that can damage equipment. A flash can damage or destroy any part of an electric line and may even lead to a fire.

During the Spokane wind storm, people in the area saw a lot of tree limbs fall on power lines. This was a serious issue, as these branches often swayed alarmingly and caused showers of sparks.

You can prevent this from happening if you know what to look for. The best thing to do is to stay at least 25 feet away from any downed power line.