Immediate action guide
Fence Contractor Emergency Action Steps
What to do right now before a fence contractor arrives, with clear lines for 911, utility, and contractor calls.
First rule
If there is fire, smoke, shock, collapse risk, gas odor, carbon monoxide alarm, injury, trapped people, or any uncertainty about safety, leave the area and call 911. Use these steps only when you can act from a safe position.
E1
Fence Down After Storm
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the fallen panels, posts, nails, gate, and property edge.
- Keep people and pets away from sharp edges and unstable panels.
- Lay only lightweight loose pieces flat if safe and mark the open boundary.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a fence contractor and report whether pets, pool access, or a public sidewalk are affected.
Do not do this
- - Do not pull panels off power lines, trees, or neighboring structures.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E2
Gate Will Not Latch
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the gate, latch, hinge post, pool or pet enclosure, and sidewalk.
- Keep the gate supervised or blocked until it closes securely.
- Use a temporary barrier that does not create a climbing step.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a fence contractor promptly, especially for pool, child, pet, or security barriers.
Do not do this
- - Do not rely on string, rope, or a loose object as a safety latch.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E3
Fence Leaning Into Sidewalk
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the leaning fence, sidewalk, driveway, and post bases.
- Keep pedestrians away and create a visible detour if safe.
- Do not push the fence back; mark the lean and remove loose debris.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a fence contractor and local public works if the public walkway is blocked.
Do not do this
- - Do not brace a public-side fence with unstable boards or vehicles.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E4
Damaged Electric Pet Fence
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the boundary wire, transmitter, yard flags, and pet access points.
- Bring pets indoors or leash them until the system is verified.
- Unplug the transmitter if wires are exposed, wet, or damaged.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a fence contractor or low-voltage specialist and describe cut locations or alarms.
Do not do this
- - Do not twist exposed wires together while the transmitter is powered.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E5
Open Post Hole or Footing
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the open hole, concrete footing, work zone, and walking path.
- Cover or barricade the hole with a stable visible barrier from ground level.
- Keep children, pets, and wheels away until the contractor secures it.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call the fence contractor and request immediate site protection before work continues.
Do not do this
- - Do not leave open holes hidden by grass, snow, boards, or thin plastic.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.