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Hot chocolate by the fire, children giggling as they build snowmen, and friends sledding together are just a few of the fun aspects that can come along with winter weather. But ice, sleet, snow, wind, and freezing temperatures can cause serious safety issues as well as the potential for power outages.
These tips from public power will help you feel confidently prepared before, during, and after extreme winter weather.
Before a winter weather event:
- Gather emergency supplies such as flashlights, battery-operated radios, hand warmers, water bottles, non-perishable food, and batteries.
- Monitor official weather bulletins.
- Charge your devices, like your phone or external backup batteries.
- Make sure your vehicle’s gas tank is full in case your power goes out, and you need to travel to a place with electricity.
During a winter weather event:
- Monitor official weather bulletins.
- Help your utility conserve energy by avoiding using large appliances such as laundry machines and dishwashers during extreme cold. Turn off the lights when you leave a room and unplug appliances that you aren’t using.
- Do not connect your generator directly to your home’s electrical system. It is dangerous to you, your neighbors, and utility workers.
- If you must leave your home during a winter weather event, take care to drive safely and follow the directions of emergency personnel.
After a winter weather event:
- Watch for downed power lines. Stay back and consider them energized. Energized lines can conduct electricity through the ground up to 35 feet away from the line.
- Check for electrical damage inside your home, such as frayed wires, sparks, or the smell of burning insulation. If you find damage to your meter box or weatherhead, don’t turn your power on until an electrician inspects your system and makes necessary repairs.
For more tips and resources, contact your local public power provider.