(West Point, NE)-Changing seasons bring unsettled weather. The Cuming County Public Power District wants to remind everyone to be prepared and know how to stay safe in the event of a Severe Storm hitting. Communications Manager Nicki White has some tips and advice on what to do before the storm hits.
White says CCPPD wants people to know that lightning can travel from up to 10 miles away from the storm, and to seek shelter if they hear Thunder outside.
CCPPD would like to remind everyone of the increased electrocution risks that springtime storms and flooding can cause, and offer safety tips to avoid serious injury or death when dealing with the aftermath of a major storm or disaster.
Other before the storm tips include:
Maintain a supply of non-perishable food items, along with a hand opener for canned food.
During an outage, switch off lights and appliances to prevent overloading circuits and damaging appliances when power is restored. Leave one lamp or switch on as a signal for when your power returns.
“You never know when a storm may hit, creating potential electrical hazards for your family,” says Scott Haber, CCPPD Operations Manager. “The best solution is to plan ahead and be prepared for the inevitable.”
White has some tips and advice for power line safety after the storm.
White also recommends people make sure Electric and Gas Services are turned off when re-entering a storm damaged building.
Other tips for After the storm:
· When venturing outside after a severe storm, stay away from downed power lines and be alert to the possibility that tree limbs or debris may hide an electrical hazard. Assume that any dangling wires you encounter are electrical, and treat all downed or hanging power lines as if they are energized. Warn others to stay away and contact CCPPD.
· If you are driving and come upon a downed power line, stay in your vehicle, warn others to stay away and contact emergency personnel or CCPPD. Also when driving, be careful at intersections where traffic lights may be out. Stop at all railroad crossings, and treat road intersections with traffic signals as a four-way stop before proceeding with caution.
· Never step into a flooded basement or other area if water is covering electrical outlets, appliances or cords. Be alert to any electrical equipment that could be energized and in contact with water. Never touch electrical appliances, cords or wires while you are wet or standing in water.
· Cleaning up and using water-damaged appliances also carry safety risks. Electric motors in appliances that have been drenched or submerged should be thoroughly cleaned and reconditioned before they are put back into service. It may be necessary to repair or replace electrical appliances or tools that have been in contact with water. Do not use any water-damaged appliance until a professional has checked it out.
· When using a generator, follow all manufacturers’ recommendations to avoid tragedy. Keep the generator dry and never plug it into a wall outlet or directly into the home’s wiring. This could inadvertently energize the CCPPD utility lines and injure yourself or others working to restore power.
Please be aware of the weather and always be prepared!
