Friday, January 22, 2016

PUC Offers Winter Storm Tips: Prepare, Report Outages, Consider Safety

As residents across Pennsylvania prepare for the first major winter storm of the season – Winter Storm Jonas – the Public Utility Commission reminded customers Thursday of what to do in the event of a power outage and using natural gas appliances.
“Preparation is essential, so take a few minutes before the storm hits to address some key items like making note of utility company hotlines, charging your cell phone and securing necessary food, medicine and other supplies,” said Chairman Gladys M. Brown.
Chairman Brown noted that there is an extensive amount of work currently going on behind the scenes to prepare for this storm.
The PUC is in close communication with utilities across the state and based on those reports, utilities are putting their storm response plans into motion; crews and equipment are being positioned for quick response to outages; and utilities are enhancing their communication with emergency management coordinators across the state.
The PUC will continue to monitor the situation and will stay in close contact with the Governor’s Office and the other state agencies involved in Pennsylvania’s coordinated storm response.
Pre-Storm tips:
-- Write down, print or save toll-free “outage reporting hotlines” to your cell phone – That’s the number you need to call if you lose power.  Click Here for electric company outage numbers.
-- Save the Internet address for your utility’s outage reporting system, which can provide an interactive picture of ongoing repair efforts.  Click Here for Internet addresses.
-- Check social media, like Facebook and Twitter, for utility updates and important storm-related information.
Note: While many utilities use social media to highlight important information, consumers should not use social media to report outages or share account information, addresses or other personal information. Instead, always call the official utility outage hotline.
Residents should also be aware that when electricity is lost, priority restoration is given to locations that can restore larger numbers of customers and high priority customers such as nursing homes, emergency shelters, emergency governmental services and hospitals.
If You Lose Power
Should you lose power during a storm, the PUC offers the following tips:
-- Call your utility. Do not assume that the utility already knows about your outage or that others in your neighborhood have already called.
-- Use a phone that does not require electricity to work. A cellular phone or corded phone will work. Remember a cordless phone won’t work without electricity.
-- Do NOT call 9-1-1 to report power outages. Those calls take dispatchers away from other emergencies and can also slow a storm response because you're not talking directly to the utility.
-- Turn off lights and electrical appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer. When power comes back on, it may come back with momentary "surges" or "spikes" that can damage equipment. After you turn the lights off, turn one lamp on so you will know when power is restored. Wait at least 15 minutes after power is restored before turning on other appliances.
-- Only use a flashlight or battery-operated lanterns for emergency lighting. Do not use candles or other potential fire hazards.
-- If you are going to use a generator, do not run it inside a home or garage. Also, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator, not your home's electrical system, which could shock or injure utility crews working on nearly power lines.  Click Here for additional generator tips.
-- Do NOT touch or get near any fallen lines, and stay away from objects or puddles in contact with downed power lines.
-- If you have a downed power line or another hazardous situation, call 9-1-1 and contact your utility.
-- Do NOT try to remove trees or limbs from power lines.
-- Check on elderly neighbors and those with special needs who might need additional assistance.
Natural Gas
The PUC also offered some safety tips for those using natural gas appliances:
— Keep outside vents for your natural gas furnace or other gas appliances clear any accumulation of snow or ice. The vents provide airflow necessary for safe operation and blocked vents can lead to a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide.
— Carefully clear deep snow away from the area around your gas meter to allow utility access and to prevent potential disruptions of service, but keep snow blowers and plows away from the gas meter.
— Electric power outages can affect gas furnaces and other appliances. If they do not function properly when power is restored call a professional for service.
— If you smell natural gas, get everyone out of the building immediately. Leave the door open and do NOT use phones, switch lights or appliances on or off, or take any other action while inside the building. After you are outside, call 9-1-1 from your cell phone or neighbor's home.
PUC tips related to electric service outages are available online. Additionally, residents are encouraged to take some general steps before the storm to prepare for potential problems, including:
— Write down, print or save toll-free "outage reporting hotlines" to your cell phone. Those are the numbers you should call in the event of an outage. Natural gas utility contact information and electric utility hotlines are compiled on the PUC website.
— Save the Internet address for your utility's outage reporting system, which can provide updates on repair and restoration efforts. Those natural gas company websites and electric utility outage sites are listed on the PUC website.
— Check social media, like Facebook and Twitter, for utility updates and important storm-related information. Note: While many utilities use social media to highlight important information, consumers should not use social media to report outages or share account information, addresses or other personal information. Instead, always call the official utility outage hotline.
The PUC is in close communication with utilities across the state and based on those reports, utilities are putting their storm response plans into motion; crews and equipment are being positioned for quick response to outages; and utilities are enhancing their communication with emergency management coordinators across the state.
The PUC will continue to monitor the situation and will stay in close contact with the Governor's Office and the other state agencies involved in Pennsylvania's coordinated storm response.

No comments :

Post a Comment

Subscribe To Receive Updates:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner