How can I stay safe after a storm?
Please follow these steps:
- Stay out of flooded/damp basements or other areas if water is in contact with outlets, a furnace or any electrically operated appliance that is energized. The water or moisture may conduct electricity. Contact may cause serious or fatal injury.
- You may have a lot of tree debris in your yard following a storm. Wait until power line repairs are complete before you begin your storm cleanup. Energized power lines may be hidden in the brush. If you see a downed power line, call us immediately at 877-295-5001.
- Know how to reset your circuit breakers. Make sure appliances and electronics are turned off, your hands are dry and you are standing on a dry surface.
- If fuses, instead of circuit breakers, protect your home wiring, you may want to call an electrician for assistance. Make sure you have instructions for your specific type of fuse. Get extra replacement fuses and store them near the fuse panel along with a flashlight.
- During an outage, keep your refrigerator door closed and discard any perishable food that has been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for over two hours. Never taste food to determine if it's safe to eat and always discard any items that have come into contact with raw meat juices. See the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Food Safety Guidelines if you have questions about your food.