Pierce Pepin wants you safe
Heavy accumulations of ice and snow together with fluctuating winter temperatures can bring down utility poles, power lines, and trees and limbs that can disrupt power for hours, even days. With this comes a threat to property and life itself.
Heavy accumulations of ice and snow together with fluctuating winter temperatures can bring down utility poles, power lines, and trees and limbs that can disrupt power for hours, even days. With this comes a threat to property and life itself.
“In a winter storm emergency, restoring power and heat to our members is the highest priority, and our line crews work around the clock to restore service,” says Mike Most, vice president of electric operations with Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services.
“Severe damage to power lines and our distribution system may take days to repair, especially if extreme weather conditions are ongoing.”
If your power goes out, here are important steps you need to know.
•First check your fuses and circuit breakers to make sure the problem is not with your electrical equipment. Contact your neighbors to see if they have electricity.
•Inspect the area around your meter for potential problems. PPCS is only responsible for equipment and lines from the power pole or transformer to the meter, excluding the meter socket. Contact a qualified electrician for other repairs.
•To report a power outage, call PPCS at 800-927-5705. Keep this phone number and your account number in reach. Phones are answered 24/7. Do NOT call 9-1-1 unless it is an emergency.
•Keep away from downed power lines and poles. Treat all downed and hanging lines as if they are energized electric lines: Stay away, warn others to stay away and immediately contact PPCS. Remember that downed power lines do NOT have to be arcing, sparking or moving to be “live” – and deadly.
•Do not cut and clear away trees and branches near power lines. Report these hazards to PPCS.
•Notify PPCS if your phone number changes. This information is critical in identifying your account and location during a power outage or other emergency.
Keep your family and home safe by preparing ahead for dangerous winter storms and long-term power outages.
•Organize a survival kit that includes: home heating alternatives—wood fireplace/stove, kerosene heater, electric space heater; matches; a hard-wired phone/cell phone; a battery-powered radio, TV, clock/watch; flashlight; extra batteries; supply of tap or bottled water; non-perishable food items; manual can opener; first-aid supplies; medicines; blankets; and fire extinguisher.
•Never use gas space heaters or gas ovens to heat your home; they may cause carbon monoxide poisoning, fire or an explosion.
•Notify PPCS in advance if you need electricity to operate life-saving medical equipment.
•Members with medical devices, livestock confinement facilities and business operations should have a plan to deal with loss of power. If using a generator, contact PPCS for safety and installation information.
•Protect valuable electronics and appliances with surge suppression devices and uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems.
•Switch off lights and appliances to prevent damage and overloading circuits when power is restored. Leave one lamp or light switch on as a signal for when your power returns.
For more information, visit: www.piercepepin.com.
Tags: pierce county, river falls, business, weather, home
More from around the web
RSS Feeds