National Incidents
Circuit to Lamppost Blacks Out Street Corner in Santa Fe, NM
Tom Sharpe, www.santafenewmexican.com, January 9, 2010
To insure public safety, the Public Service Company turned off a electrical circuit feeding power to a lamppost which had shocked two dogs a week before, leaving the street corner dark. Read the Full Story.
Santa Fe Discovers Contact Voltage
Tom Sharpe, www.santafenewmexican.com, December 31, 2009
Two people were walking their dogs by a lamppost, when one started yelping and running around, and the other suddenly dropped to the ground. Read the Full Story.
Thief Electrocuted Stealing Wires From High Voltage Box
Howard Pankratz, www.denverpost.com, October 28, 2009
A 28 year old Man died from electrocution while attempting to steal electrical wires from a high voltage electrical box that serves a large area of southern Pueblo, Colorado. Read the Full Story.
Tree Trimmer Electrocuted Trimming Trees
www.naplesnews.com, July 8, 2009
A resident of Cape Coral, Florida was electrocuted when a branch he was cutting off a tree fell and struck a power line. Read the Full Story.
18 Year Old and 3 Dogs Electrocuted in Beeville, Texas
Manuel De La Rosa, www.kiiitv.com, July 2, 2008
An 18 year old Man died from electrocution when the sheet metal he was leaning against the outside wall of a house touched an exposed wire. Three dogs, who were close by also died from electrocution. Read the Full Story.
Young Boy Shocked Near Pedestrian Bridge, Omaha, Neb.
www.ketv.com, June 9, 2009
An 11 year old Boy was shocked when he bumped against a light pole near the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge. Read the Full Story.
Girl Electrocuted In Her Backyard, Cedar Park, Tx.
Miguel Liscano, www.statesman.com, April 25, 2009
A 10 year old Girl died after climbing a fence, and touching electrical wires leading to her house with an garden hose. Read the Full Story.
Rascal Electrocuted By Fire Hydrant, Brighton, Ma.
Unconfirmed Report, January 28, 2009, 5:30 p.m.
A man tied Rascal, his young pit bull to a fire hydrant at the corner of Chestnut Hill Ave and Beacon Street before entering a 7 Eleven store. Rascal was wearing a metal choke collar, which was attached to a metal leash. While inside he heard Rascal yelping and barking, and immediately ran back outside to find him lying on the ground twitching, and realized Rascal's leash and collar had conducted the stray voltage. "That was the last time I got to look into poor Rascal's eyes." Read about all incidents in Boston.
Tragic Thanksgiving In Mishawaka, Indiana
www.wsbt.com, November 28, 2008
Family is grieving the loss of their 5 year old son Izaya Michael, who was electrocuted after crawling inside an open transformer box. Read the Full Story. Also read Izaya Michael Mother's Testimony.
By Erin Maloney, MyCFN & WCIA 3 News, July 24, 2008
An 8 year old boy was shocked and later died after he came in contact with a utility pole while playing in a softball tournament in Bartonville, Illinois. Read the Full Story.
Live Wire Burns Young Girl At Bus Stop
By Hamil R. Harris, Washington Post, Tuesday, June 10, 2008
A 6 year old girl was waiting for a bus with her family at a bus stop, when she grabbed the live wire at a Chillin bus stop in Prince George's County, D.C. Read the Full Story.
By Geoff Liesik Sunday, Deseret News, June 1, 2008 12:15 a.m.
An 8 year old boy was electrocuted and nearly killed while climbing a fence to watch a baseball game in Vernal, Utah. Read the Full Story.
No Parking, No Kidding!
By Jeff Overley, Orange County Register, March 3, 2008
A man says he received an electrical shock when he touched a "no parking" sign on the Balboa Peninsula, California. Read the Full Story.
Man Electrocuted Hanging Christmas Lights
AP, foxnews.com, December 16, 2007
A man in East Palo Alto, California died from electrocution when the Christmas lights he was hanging outside of his apartment touched a high voltage power line. Read the Full Story.
Sunshine State Black Out
NYPost, February 27, 2007
Equipment failure and fire in Miami substation leaves three million people in the dark. The Sunshine State had the nation's highest average of stray voltage episodes surging in June. Read the Full Story.
After learning about the problems other cities have had with stray voltage, Baltimore is taking a proactive approach to help people and hopefully avoid more problems.
Boston
Boston is unique as Mayor Thomas Menino appointed a Task Force to make area residents more aware of possible electrical problems and encourage their pro-action.
Chicago
Stray voltage is a growing problem in Chicago, and the City is being encouraged to address the issue.
Honolulu
By Ron Mizutani, www.khon2.com, Feb 19, 2009
City is actively investigating its lampposts after a man was electrocuted, while waiting for a bus at a bus stop. Read the Full Story.
Las Vegas
After the electrocution of Tourist, and an Elderly Man getting shocked while walking his dog, City Officials in Las Vegas are suddenly aware of stray voltage, and Personal Injury Attorneys are encouraging the victims to take a stand.
Miami
The city of Miami has been dealing with the problems of stray voltage, resulting injuries and related lawsuits for many years.
Minneapolis
By Steve Brandt, www.startribune.com, January 8, 2009
Dog owners in Minneapolis attempt to shield their canines amid the deteriorating electrical infrastructure. Read the Full Story.
New Jersey
With instances of stray voltage occurring, Citizens of New Jersey are hoping their Government and Utility companies will start addressing the problem.
Karl Turner, cleveland.com, March 18, 2009
Ohio Department of Agriculture officials were found liable for the death of an 8 year old boy, who was electrocuted during a bumper car ride at the Lake County Fair on August 12, 2003, after an Ohio Court Of Claims Judge ruled the "approximate cause" of the boy's injury resulted from the negligence of the State Inspectors. Read the Full Story.
Deseret News, May 24, 2003
A 9 year old was electrocuted after touching an electrified street light while walking to a bus stop with his Friend, and friend's Father, after visiting a science museum. Read the Full Story.
www.pjstar.com, September 17, 2008
A Mother, whose 8 year old son died after touching a wooden pole on a softball field is asking her State Representative to require the State to inspect all lights in outdoor fields, and has also filed suit against the Softball Association, claiming they knew about the hazard. Read the Full Report.
Philadelphia
Confronted with massive growth, Philadelphia continues the hard work of balancing an efficient Public Transit Systems and safety.
www. wbztv.com, January 8, 2009
A family's dog was almost electrocuted by a light fixture as it approached a flag pole outside a Post Office in Quincy, Mass. Read the Full Story.
Tucson
The city of Tucson, Arizona has started regular inspections of the fences in its City Parks, after an 8 year old Boy was electrocuted at a baseball field.
Washington, DC
Several dangerous manhole explosions have occurred in Washington since 1971, and the city is still working to identify the problems and improve their underground electrical system.
