Just like many electric cooperative members learned during the February 2014 ice storm, severe winter weather can cause extensive power outages for an extended period of time. Remember the following tips to stay safe and warm should you find yourself in the dark.
- Never touch a fallen power line, and assume all wires on the ground are electrically charged. Call your electric co-op at to report it immediately. Avoid contact with overhead lines during cleanup and other activities.
- Use alternative heating sources such as a fireplaces, propane space heaters and wood stoves with extreme care. Plan to stay in an area of the home where the alternate heat source is located.
- Fuel- and wood-burning heating sources should be vented. Be sure to follow manufacturer’s directions.
- Make sure carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors are working properly.
- Do not use a gas-powered oven for heating. A gas oven may go out or burn inefficiently, leading to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Do not use a gas or charcoal grill inside the home. Do not use charcoal briquettes in the fireplace.
- If you use a portable generator to power a heating source, be sure the generator is located outside your house for proper ventilation. Do not use a generator in an attached garage. Follow manufacturer’s directions for operating the generator
- Take special care not to overload a generator. Use appropriately sized extension cords to carry the electric load. Make sure the cords have a grounded, three-pronged plug and are in good condition.
- Never run cords under rugs or carpets.
- Never connect generators to power lines or your home’s wiring. The reverse flow of electricity can electrocute the co-op line crews working to restore power.
- Never plug a generator into a household outlet.
- Do not refuel a generator while it is running.
- Only store fuel outside of living areas and away from heat sources like water heater pilot lights.
- Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting it down.
- Keep children and pets away from generators.
Ideally, your family will stay warm until the power comes back on. But keep an eye on family members for signs of hypothermia, which include shivering, drowsiness and mental and physical slowness. The elderly and young children are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia. Call 911 immediately if you notice these symptoms.
Sources: Consumer Product Safety Commission; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Ag Safety Database