|
Weather winter power outages safely
Residents in the northeastern United States recently struggled to cope with one of the worst blizzards in the past century. Huge snowfalls—more than 3 feet in some areas—were responsible for at least 14 deaths at this writing. Transportation was crippled, and officials were urging people to stay home from work and school. Even for a region accustomed to dealing with severe winters, this storm was a tough one for residents to bear.
We’re fortunate that we will probably never have to experience a storm of this type in Mississippi, but we aren’t immune to winter weather disasters. Remember the ice storm of 1994? Excessive accumulations of ice pulled power lines to the ground and crushed utility poles in parts of the Delta and north Mississippi. Power was out for weeks in some places, as electric power association crews rebuilt literally thousands of miles of power line.
Similar damage can be caused other times of year by tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and hurricanes. For overhead power lines, no place is safe from nature’s destructive forces!
Electric power associations are always prepared to respond immediately to widespread power outages, but are you? Have you taken steps to ensure your family’s comfort and safety in the event your power is interrupted for more than a few hours?
To combat the havoc wreaked by severe storms, many homeowners turn to portable electric generators. These generators are a good source of temporary power for heat, light, refrigeration and cooking during power outages. But if a generator is improperly installed, it can become a deadly hazard. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, people die needlessly every year in accidents that involve portable electric generators.
ESFI recommends these generator safety precautions to avoid dangerous situations:
Follow carefully the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation and maintenance.
Do not connect your generator directly to your household wiring, as this can backfeed along the power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including lineworkers making repairs.
Do not overload the generator. A portable generator should be used only when necessary, and only to power essential equipment or appliances.
Never operate the generator in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces, including homes, garages and basements. Generators produce high levels of carbon monoxide very quickly, a colorless, odorless and deadly gas.
Store fuel for the generator safely, away from living areas, in properly labeled containers and away from fuel-burning appliances. Before refueling, always turn the generator off and let it cool down.
Make sure the generator is properly grounded.
Keep the generator dry.
Turn off all appliances powered by the generator before shutting down the generator.
Keep children away from the generator at all times.
If you need more information, feel free to contact your electric power association.
PAST
EDITORIALS
|
