Power Outage Safety Tips

Saturday | July 6, 2024
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Hurricane force winds can cause widespread outages. Depending on the severity of the storm, these outages could last days or even weeks. Cleaning up damage and repairing the electric grid can be a lengthy process. After a storm, you can rest assured we will work as quickly and safely as we can to restore power. And while we do that, you need to take steps to ensure your safety during a power outage.

 

 

Personal Safety

  • If you rely on electricity for life-support needs you must have a solid backup plan in case of power outages, such as using a generator or evacuating to a safe location with power.

 

  • Take steps to keep cool. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and wear lightweight clothing. If you can’t stand the heat, evacuate to a safe location with power, such as an emergency shelter.

 

  • Stay away from all downed power lines. They should always be considered live and dangerous.

 

  • Avoid using candles for emergency lighting, as they could start a fire. Flashlights and battery-operated lanterns are safer options.

 

  • Don’t drink tap water until officials have assured you it’s safe

 

 

Food Safety

During a power outage, try to keep your refrigerator and freezer closed. Food in an unopened refrigerator can last about 4 hours. After that, items should be placed in a cooler with ice or thrown out. Items in the freezer can last 48 hours if the freezer is full, and 24 hours if it’s only half full.

 

 

Generator Safety

  • A generator is a great tool to keep you going during a power outage, but it’s not without dangers. If you use a generator, know how to do so safely.

 

  • Never plug a portable generator directly into your home’s electrical system. It could back feed into the grid, which could be fatal for you or our linemen working to restore power.

 

  • Never use a generator in an enclosed space, such as your home or garage. They should only be operated outdoors in a well-ventilated area, away from windows, doors or vents. The carbon dioxide generators emit can be deadly.

 

  • Always use heavy duty extension cords, rated for outdoor use, to plug appliances into the generator.

 

  • Never overload your generator. Turn the generator on first, then start connecting appliances one at a time.