Final answer:
Overhead power lines should be treated as potentially dangerous due to their high voltage. They are often held aloft by insulating connectors and carry hundreds of kilovolts, presenting a severe risk of electrocution upon contact.
Step-by-step explanation:
Overhead power lines carry extremely high voltage and should always be treated with caution. The correct statement about overhead power lines is c) They should be avoided and treated as potentially dangerous. This is because coming into contact with these power lines can lead to severe injuries or fatalities due to the high voltage they carry. Moreover, it's a common misunderstanding that power lines are completely safe; while studies have shown no consistent link between living near high-voltage power lines and cancer, the immediate physical danger of electrocution remains if they are not properly avoided.
Another misconception is that power lines always have an insulating material wrapped around them. This is false; high-voltage wires are often bare and are held aloft by insulating connectors attached to towers or poles, which serve to isolate the electricity and prevent ground circuits from forming accidentally. These insulating connectors are critical because, transmission voltages are kept very high, often in the range of hundreds of kilovolts (hundreds of kilovolts), to reduce power losses during long-distance transmission, making them even more dangerous to touch.