Winter Storm Safety

Snow and ice storms are an inevitable part of the winter season and they can lead to downed power lines and outages. Remember the following tips to stay safe and warm should you find yourself in the dark after a severe winter event:
• Never touch a fallen power line, and assume all wires
 on the ground are electrically charged. Call your electric
 co-op at Access Energy Cooperative to report it
 immediately. Avoid contact with overhead lines during
 cleanup and other activities.
• Alternate fuel and wood-burning heating sources should 
 be vented. Be sure to follow manufacturer’s     directions on proper ventilation.
• Make sure carbon monoxide detectors and smoke
 detectors are working properly.
• Do not use a gas-powered oven for heating. A gas oven
 may go out or burn inefficiently, leading to carbon
 monoxide poisoning.
• Do not use a gas or charcoal grill inside the home. Do
 not use charcoal briquettes in the fireplace.
• If you use a portable generator to power a heating
 source, be sure the generator is located outside your
 house for proper ventilation. Do not use a generator in
 an attached garage. Follow manufacturer’s directions
 for operating the generator.
• Take special care not to overload a generator. Use an
 appropriately sized extension cord to carry the electric
 load. Make sure the cords have a grounded,
 three-pronged plug and are in good condition.
• Never run cords under rugs or carpets.
• Never connect generators to power lines. The reverse
 flow of electricity can electrocute an unsuspecting
 utility worker.
 
Ideally, your family will stay warm until the power comes back on. But keep an eye on family members for signs of hypothermia, which include shivering, drowsiness, and mental and physical slowness. The elderly and young children are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia. Call 911 immediately if you notice these symptoms. At least one telephone in the house that does not depend on electricity should be available in the case of a power outage.
Sources: Consumer Product Safety Commission; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Ag Safety Database)