HOUSTON -- Why should you care what happens to a hot dog that comes into contact with an energized power line?

"The hot dog simulates a human finger, what would happen to your hand if it came in contact with a power line," Centerpoint Energy spokesperson Alicia Dixon said." "It's the same consistency as your hand."

The hot dog was burnt to a crisp.

Nearly 600 people died in 2005 due to contact with an energized power line.

A Houston woman died last year when she tried to remove a power line from the back tires of her car.

"You need to assume that all power lines are energized," Dixon said.

Centerpoint Energy did the demonstration to remind people to stay away from downed power lines this hurricane season.

"If there is debris on the ground or trees, power lines could be wrapped up in those trees," Dixon said. "If you've had flooding, lines could be in the floodwaters."

Officials said that if a person drives over a power line, it is best to stay inside the car and call for help.