Though a prudent person thinks about how to get through big storms and natural power outages before they happen, Pacific Gas & Electric has offered up some helpful tips to make your family better prepared to weather the storms.
Storm Preparedness Tips:
• Have a plan, prepare for power outages and above all else, stay safe;
• Have flashlights, radios and fresh batteries ready and know where to go for updates on storm conditions and power outages.
• Get updates on outages in your neighborhood through PG&E’s outage information phone line at: 1-800-743-5002; access electric outage maps online at: www.pge.com; log-in to your PG&E account through pge.com to receive proactive outage alerts through email, text or phone.
• If you have a phone that requires electricity to work — cordless phone or answering machine — plan to have a standard telephone or cell phone ready for a backup.
• Pre-freeze plastic containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that can be put in the refrigerator/freezer during an outage to prevent foods from spoiling. Blue Ice for picnic coolers also works well.
• Secure outdoor furniture, lightweight yard structures and decorative lawn items that can be blown down by high winds to prevent damage to overhead power lines and property.
• If you have a stand-by gas powered generator, make sure that it’s installed safely and inform PG&E to avoid damage to your property or endangering PG&E workers. Information on the safe installation of generators is also on the website, at: www.pge.com/generator.
Power Outage Safety Tips:
• Treat all low hanging and downed power lines as if they are energized and extremely dangerous. Keep yourself and others away from them. Be aware of trees, pools of water and other objects that may be in contact with power lines.
If you see damaged power lines and electric equipment, call 9-1-1, and then notify PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.
• During an outage, use battery-operated flashlights not candles, due to the risk of fire. If you must use candles, keep away from drapes, lampshades and small children. Do not leave candles unattended.
• If your power goes out, unplug or turn off all electric appliances to avoid overloading circuits and fire hazards when power is restored. Leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns. Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to normal.
• At night during an outage, city streets will be much darker than usual and will look different. Follow all posted speed limits or drive a bit slower. Use turn signals when changing lanes and especially at corners with crosswalks.
• If traffic signals are out, or flashing red, come to a full stop at every intersection, and proceed as you would at a 4-way stop.
• When driving, watch for children and pedestrians crossing streets in or out of the crosswalk. They may be wearing dark clothing and be difficult to see. And if you are walking at night, take a flashlight with you and wear light-colored or light-reflective clothing.
If your vehicle contacts a downed power line:
• Stay inside the car. The safest place is in the car because the ground around your car may be energized.
• Honk the horn, roll down your window and yell for help.
• Warn others to stay away. Anyone who touches the equipment or ground around the vehicle may be electrocuted.
• Use your mobile phone to call 9-1-1.
• Fire department, police and PG&E workers will tell you when it is safe to get out of the vehicle.
If the car is on fire and you have to exit a vehicle that has come in contact with downed power lines:
• Remove loose items of clothing;
• Keep your hands down at your sides and jump clear of the vehicle, so you are not touching the car when your feet hit the ground; and
• Keep both feet close together and shuffle away from the vehicle without picking up your feet.
