As Florida braces for Tropical Storm Hermine, FMEA reminds you to stay safe and be prepared. Stay away from downed power lines – don’t touch them. Electric crews will be working diligently to restore power as quickly as possible.
FMEA has developed 12 often overlooked safety tips that electric customers should follow to protect themselves and their home. These safety tips remind our customers of things that people did not know or forgot during past hurricanes, tropical storms and weather-related events.
1. Should your power go out, unplug appliances and electronics to prevent power surges when electricity is restored. Power surges often damage equipment and create fire hazards.
2. If you use a portable generator: DON’T run a generator in the house, DON’T run a generator in the garage, and DON’T plug a generator directly into a house’s main electrical system. The first two could lead to suffocation and the third could send an electrical charge back to the power grid, which would create an electrocution hazard for utility workers. DO set up generators outside in a well-ventilated area, and DO plug individual appliances directly into the generator.
3. If your home has water leaks or floods, shut off the power to your home until the electrical wiring can be inspected by a licensed electrician.
4. If you smell natural gas, evacuate immediately and call the gas company’s emergency number.
5. Carry proper identification in the event you need to enter identification check points to access your home or neighborhood.
6. Inspect your home’s weatherhead for damage after a storm. The weatherhead is located above the electric meter where the electrical wires exit the conduit. The weatherhead is the homeowner’s responsibility, and utility workers cannot reconnect service if it is damaged. Contact a licensed electrician for repairs.
7. Utilities typically cannot respond to customers with special needs during or immediately after a storm. Have an evacuation plan and know special needs shelter locations. If you or someone you know has special electrical medical equipment needs, notify the electric utility prior to the storm’s arrival.
8. To determine a hurricane evacuation route, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org.
9. Collect water in your water heater by turning off power to the unit and closing the water valve. If you lose water pressure, approximately 40 gallons of fresh water will be stored in the tank. Fill bathtubs and the washing machine with water to cleaning withand to operate toilets.
10. Clear the patio and yard of lawn furniture, toys, potted plants and other items that could blow away and cause damage or injury.
11. Locate shut-off valves and locations for gas, water and electricity in the event they need to be turned off.
12. Create a hurricane survival kit that includes: first aid supplies; drinking water (at least one gallon per person, per day); batteries; flashlights; battery powered radio; manual can opener; prescriptions; baby food and diapers; pet food; canned foods; cash; tarps; rope; bleach; trash bags; charcoal or gas grill with plenty of fuel; wooden kitchen matches; and a portable cooler. Consider using a hard-wired, corded phone as cordless phones will not work during a power outage.
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