A streetlight outage can present a hazard for drivers and pedestrians alike, and if you notice an outage in your area, you may be wondering what you should do! Many people don’t know the proper steps to take when they notice an outage – meaning the reporting streetlight outage process becomes unnecessarily complicated.
Reporting the streetlight fault is very helpful if you’re passing by and seeing an outage. But what causes these outages, and how do you report streetlight fault incidents? Read more to find out!
The Causes of Streetlights Faults
So, what causes a streetlight outage in the first place? There are many potential reasons why a streetlight fault might occur, so any variety of issues could have caused an outage in your area. Causes of streetlight’s faults include the following:
- Damaged power lines surrounding the streetlight
- A faulty light that is no longer working
- Harsh weather conditions that damage the streetlight’s infrastructure
- Timer malfunctions for streetlights that operate on a timer
- Deterioration due to age and overuse
Safety Precautions for Handling a Streetlight Outage
While it might not be as dangerous as some other emergencies, it’s still important to note that a streetlight outage can present several issues and require specific safety precautions before you file a report.
Some tips to ensure you handle a streetlight outage safely include:
- Be cautious in dark areas, whether you’re walking or driving. If you’re walking, find a well-lit path or sidewalk instead of walking near the outage if possible. If driving, reduce your speed and exercise caution and vigilance when driving through a poorly lit area caused by a streetlight outage.
- Protect your personal safety and be prepared for potential outages. Always carry a light source on you, such as a torch or your smartphone light, to illuminate your path when walking through dark areas. If you’re travelling at night, travelling in a group for extra protection is best.
- Stay aware of your surroundings and remain attentive to unusual activity or potential hazards that can be easily missed by a streetlight outage.
What to do if You Notice a Streetlight Outage
Now, let’s talk about reporting streetlight outage incidents and how you can help fix streetlight faults.
While streetlights don’t present a physical threat, they can lead to several issues because improper lighting makes the neighbourhood more dangerous for drivers and passersby. Because of this, it’s best to report a streetlight outage as soon as you notice one in your area.
Below are the steps you should take if there’s a streetlight outage in your neighbourhood.
Step One: Identify the Outage
The first step you’ll take to report a streetlight outage is identifying the issue at hand. As you pass by streetlights, pay attention to any light that seems out of place or isn’t working properly compared to surrounding streetlights.
Even if you aren’t 100% positive that there’s an outage, it’s best to contact a professional to double-check and prevent future issues.
Step Two: Determine Who You Should Contact
The second step in reporting streetlight outage incidents is determining who to contact to solve the problem. While G&S Industries supplies poles used in streetlighting, Western Power is responsible for fixing outages when they occur.
You can contact Western Power to report streetlight outage occurrences or a streetlight fault using one of the following numbers:
24-hour emergencies and streetlight outages: 13 13 51
Reporting streetlight faults: 1800 622 008
Step Three: Be as Detailed as Possible
When you report a streetlight fault or outage incident, it’s important to be as specific and detailed as possible to ensure the problem is solved efficiently.
Start by taking note of the intersection and street where the outage is located and communicate this when contacting Western Power. Beyond the location, you may have to provide details about what’s wrong with the streetlight. For instance, is it completely out, flickering, or dimmed?
When you notice an outage, write the important details down on your phone or any accessible notepad – these details will help technicians solve the issue as soon as possible, so you want to ensure you don’t forget anything.
Step Four: Consider Contacting Online
If you don’t have your phone on you or aren’t too keen on calling to report the outage, there are other ways to report streetlight fault incidents! For example, Western Power allows individuals to contact them to report an outage online, making your job easier and ensuring you have plenty of ways to contact them and report a problem.
You can report a streetlight outage or fault by contacting Western Power here.
Step Five: Watch the Problem be Solved
Once you’ve reported the outage and are certain Western Power has the information it needs to address the issue, you can go about your day or evening confident that you’ve taken the right steps.
Chat to G&S Industries For Bespoke Pole Solutions
Reporting a streetlight outage is essential to protecting public safety and securing your neighbourhood. While you’ll need to contact Western Power to report a streetlight outage, you can turn to G&S Industries for pole manufacturing.
From decorative poles to streetlight poles and more, we’re here to deliver bespoke solutions unique to your specific project. Don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team for more information.