Safety During Summer Storms
Now that summer is in full swing, like many of you, United Electric welcomes opportunities to be outdoors and enjoy the warm weather. However, summer months also make conditions ideal for dangerous storms.
These potential weather events can cause destruction to our electrical system, but United Electric crews are ready and standing by to respond to power outages in our area.
When major storms knock out power, our line crews take precautions before they get to work on downed lines. United Electric encourages you to practice safety and preparedness to protect your family during major storms and outages. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends the items below as a starting point for storm and disaster preparedness, but visit www.ready.gov for additional resources.
- Include nonperishable food, such as canned goods, energy bars, peanut butter, powdered milk, instant coffee, water and other essentials in your pantry supply
- Confirm you have adequate sanitation and hygiene supplies, including towelettes, soap, hand sanitizer, diapers and toiletries
- Ensure your first-aid kit is stocked with pain relievers, bandages and other medical essentials, and make sure your prescriptions are current
- Set aside basic household items you will need, including flashlights, batteries, a manual can opener, and a portable, battery-powered radio or TV
- Organize emergency supplies so they are easily accessible in one location
Plug electronic devices into surge protectors. In the event of a prolonged power outage, turn off major appliances, TVs, computers and other sensitive electronics. This will help avert damage from a power surge, and will help prevent overloading the circuits during power restoration. That said, leave one light on so you know when power is restored.
If you plan to use a small generator, make sure it’s rated to handle the amount of power you will need. Always review the manufacturer’s instructions to operate it safely.
After a storm, avoid downed power lines and don’t walk through flooded areas where power lines could be submerged. Allow ample room for utility crews to safely do their jobs, including on your property.
Advance planning for severe storms or other emergencies can reduce stress and anxiety caused by the weather and lessen the impact of the storm’s effects.
From our co-op to your family, we hope you have a safe and wonderful summer.
Sincerely,
Michael Darrington