When the prospect of a severe store looms, be prepared.
In the event of a major storm, we recommend you have on hand the following items:
A flashlight with extra batteries
A weather radio
A portable radio with batteries
Non-perishable food items
Any needed medical supplies
Containers of drinking water
To prepare of a flood event, these safety precautions should be followed:
FOOD SAFETY
Power outages associated with a hurricane can cause concern about the safety of frozen and refrigerated foods. As a general rule, a full upright or chest freezer will keep foods frozen for about two days without power.
A partially full freezer will keep foods for about one day. This time may be extended by keeping the door shut. A refrigerator will keep foods cool for four to six hours if the door is kept shut as much as possible.
CARBON MONOXIDE
The CDC advises that the public should never use generators, grills, camp stoves or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, basement, garage or camper.
CO is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if breathed. When power outages occur during emergencies, people often try to use alternative sources of fuel for heating, cooling and cooking. CO from these sources can build up in the home and poison the people and animals inside.
Injury prevention
If a storm causes damages where you must use a chainsaw for clean-up the CDC advises the following safeguards while using a chain saw
Operate and maintain saw according to manufacturer’s instructions
Properly sharpen blades and properly lubricate to ensure good cutting action
Choose the proper size chain saw to match the job
Wear appropriate protective equipment including: hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, heavy work gloves, cut resistant leg wear, and boots that cover the ankles.
Avoid contact with power lines
Always cut at waist level
By standers or coworkers should remain at least two tree lengths away from anyone felling a tree.
When your power is off, we’re on the line
Barton County Electric's After Hours Outage Reporting System makes it easy for you to report a power outage. Our system answers calls faster and records messages quickly. It has 48 phone lines to handle incoming calls – reducing the busy signals and providing you with the comfort of knowing your message has been received.
To report an outage, follow the easy step-by-step reporting instructions:
Dial [Need Number]
Enter your area code and seven digit phone number
Follow the recorded instructions
The After Hours Outage Reporting System uses your telephone number to locate the power outage so it’s important we have your correct phone number on file.
We are committed to providing you with continued reliable service, and we are dedicated to faster outage response.
Portable Generators can be Dangerous
People who use portable generators during a power outage should be extremely cautious, warns Ronald Wade, engineer for South Alabama EC. The improper use of these generators can cause serious injury or death.
Some of our customers may try to hook up generators to their homes or businesses during a major outage. If the generators are installed incorrectly, they can injure or even kill line crew employees who are trying to restore power.
When a portable generator is hooked up to an electric circuit, the current from the generator can flow out of the home and into the transformer serving that home or business.
Once the electricity goes into the transformer; it is stepped up in voltage and enters the power distribution system.
Employees working to restore power believe the lines they are working to be de-energized or ‘dead’. Without knowing it, an employee can come in contact with a line that has been energized by a portable generator. He can be seriously injured or killed as a result.
Barton County Electric offers information or assistance to anyone who has questions concerning the use of a portable generator. Please call our office at [Need Number]
We understand the frustration of people wanting to have their power restored as soon as possible, but we urge the public to consider the safety of those working hard to restore their power as well.
Cold Weather Power Outage Tips
Living without electricity is no easy task, especially during cold weather. To help make the best of the situation, Barton County Electric offers these suggestions:
To deal with cold weather, wrap in warm clothes. Wear several thin layers instead of one or two bulky items. Hats and thermal underwear can also help keep you warm
Food in freezers can last for a couple of days if the door is left shut. The best rule of thumb though is, “When in doubt, throw it out.”
Use camp stoves and grills outside, never cook with this equipment inside a closed house.
At bedtime, use several layers of quilts or blankets. Better yet, use a sleeping bag.
Copyright 2010 Barton County Electric Cooperative P.O. Box 459, 91 W. 160 Hwy, Lamar MO 64759, 417-682-5636 | 800-286-5636
