Winter Weather Electrical Safety Tips
With weather forecasters warning of possible freezing rain and sleet, everyone should plan for the possible loss of electic service.
Electrical Safety:
Disconnect electrical heaters and appliances to reduce the initial demand when the power is reconnected. If you leave your home during the outage, double check to make sure all heat-producing appilances, such as your range and iron, are unplugged. Unplugging appliances, minimizes the risk for fire danger. Unplug personal computer, microwave ovens or VCRs to protect against possible surges when the power is restored, even if you have spike suppressors.
When using a generator, follow the generator manufacturer’s instructions. Connect lights and appliances directly to the generator, not to an existing electrical system. Any generator connected to an electrical system must use an approved manual or automatic transfer switch. Do not run the generator indoors.
Fallen power lines are dangerous because they carry an electric current that can cause serious or fatal injury. Never touch a fallen wire, no matter how harmless it looks. Keep others away from the potential hazard as well. If you encounter fallen wires, stay away from them and immediately contact your power company.
Prevent Water Damage:
As temperatures dip below zero, Ohioans without power should turn the water off, drain pipes and turn the water heater off. If water is not drained, pressure will build up and could possibly cause pipes to burst. Or, homeowners can also allow the water to trickle from faucets for a constant water flow during the outage.
To drain pipes, turn off water heater and main water supply and keep all faucets open in the house. Also, drain all toilets by holding the lever down until the tank empties. Open cabinet doors that encase pipes to allow any heat in the home to get to the pipes.
Have an alternate heat source:
Prepare for possible isolation in your home by having sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel sources may be cut off. For example, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove. Homes should have available alternate heating sources such as a fireplace or a kerosene heater. Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least three feet from flammable objects. Conserve fuel, if necessary, by dressing in warm clothes and keeping your residence cooler than normal. Temporarily close off heat to some rooms.
Keep Heat Inside:
Keep doors, windows and drapes closed to retain heat in your home. Close off extra rooms, allowing heat to concentrate in one area. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Every time you open a freezer door, you let in warmer air which will speed thawing. A freezer can keep foods frozen for two days if the doors are closed. Thawed foods should be eaten first if they have been kept in a refrigerator for longer than two days.
((Zakk Gammon, Zakk. “FOX19.com and FOX19 News, weather, traffic, and sports for Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky | Winter Weather Electrical Safety Tips.” FOX19.com and FOX19 News, weather, traffic, and sports for Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky | Home. 24 Dec. 2008
