Unexpected danger in New York: hundreds of people annually suffer from explosions of manhole covers

While the chance of being hit by an exploding manhole cover is low, it's not zero. According to the New York City Mayor's 2021 Leadership Report, the New York City Fire Department responded to 261 incidents where manhole covers were displaced by an explosion. It's not just the Big Apple's problem - manhole covers are exploding all over the country. What you need to do to protect yourself from an exploding manhole cover, the publication said Lifehacker.

By watching for a few warning signs, you can spot a manhole cover explosion before it happens and warn those who can prevent it.

What causes a manhole cover to explode

Manhole cover explosions mostly occur during the winter months, although they can explode all year round. It all starts when salt used to clear snow mixes with water and runs down a manhole, according to New York-based electricity supplier Con Edison. Then salt water, which conducts electricity, floods electrical cables and generates heat. Coming into contact with a live wire, it destroys the insulating layer of the cable. Subsequently, this leads to the formation of gas and smoke when the insulation burns, which creates conditions under which a spark can form from the wires, igniting the accumulated gas.

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As a result of the explosion, the hatch is capable of rising up to 50 feet (15 m) above the ground and will be an extremely dangerous projectile for anyone in the area.

How to spot an impending explosion and what to do

The circumstances that lead to the explosion of the manhole cover develop slowly. If you ever see smoke coming from the manhole, you should move away immediately and call the emergency services. Con Edison spokesman Sidney Alvarez said: “I know people take out their phones and shoot videos. If they could call 911 or us first and then take a video, that would be better. The sooner you let us know, the sooner we can get there and keep everyone safe.”

If you are not sure if the gas you see from the manhole is smoke or just steam, it is still a good idea to report it, as uncorrected leaks from steam systems can also pose a public safety hazard. If you see a missing manhole cover on the street or highway, there is no need to call 911 - report it to the local authorities. In addition, Con Edison recommends keeping pets away from lampposts, grills, and manhole covers during periods after a thunderstorm.