Storm Center - Hurricane Safety

After the storm.....what you can do:

• Stay clear of downed lines in your yard or in the street. They still may be energized and deadly. And puddles of water in contact with downed lines are as dangerous as the live wires themselves.
• Help keep utility telephone lines clear for emergency calls. It's not necessary to call to report you are out of service or to ask when service will be restored. However, do call to report downed power lines you can see on the ground on your yard or neighborhood. And call if your power is still out after your neighbor's power has been restored.
• If your home is without electricity, turn off circuit breakers or remove fuses at your electrical panel. This will help protect appliances and your family and home. And it will lessen the chances of circuit overload when service is restored. You can leave one breaker on to operate a light to let you know when power is back on.
• Don't trim trees or remove debris from around downed lines. If possible, wait until crews are finished restoring power to your area before cleaning your yard.
• If you must remove debris from in or around your home, don't pile it under or near electrical lines or equipment.
• If you're going to use a portable generator, keep the machine in an open area. The engine emits carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that can kill. Be sure to follow instructions regarding safe operation. Do not connect the generator directly to your main electrical panel. If installed incorrectly, power from the generator could flow into outside lines and injure you, your neighbors or unsuspecting utility crews working in the area.
• Damage to your home's electrical system must be repaired before your power can be restored. Look at the "weather head" (at the top of your home where your service drop comes from the pole). Look at the box that surrounds the meter. Any damage must be repaired by a licensed electrician and inspected by a designated agency.
• If your home is served by underground lines, look at the meter box and piping. Any damage must be repaired by a licensed electrician and inspected by a designated agency.
• If you suspect water is in the walls or ceiling, stay away from standing water near electrical outlets, and contact an electrician to repair the damage. For speed and efficiency, you and your neighbors could try to get one licensed electrician to inspect all of your homes.
• If you end up living in temporary quarters on your property because of damage to your home and you need electricity, you'll need to hire an electrician to install a temporary service pole. After that pole is set, your electricity utility can provide power.

Generator Safety Tips

1. Observe the generator manufacturer's instructions for safe operation.
2. Always run your generator outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
3. Maintain your generator engine according to the maintenance schedule for peak performance and safety.
4. Do not operate the engine near combustible materials.
5. Keep gas fresh. If you do not plan to use your generator for up to 30 days, stabilize the gas with a gas stabilizer.
6. Place generator on level ground to operate.
7. When using extension cords, be sure they are grounded, and are a sufficient wire gauge for the application. Heavy Duty outdoor rated cords will handle household appliance loads.
8. Know how to shut a generator off quickly in case of emergency.
9. Never plug your generator directly into your house circuit. If connecting a generator into your home electrical system, have a qualified electrician install a Manual Power Transfer System.