Town of East Lyme, CT

     Any number of things can cause a power outage during the winter months.  If caused by the weather, the outage could be wide-spread or local.

     If an outage occurs, first check the circuit breakers or fuses in your home's electrical panel to make sure you haven't blown a circuit or fuse.  If that is not the cause of the outage, call your local utility company to report it.  The phone number is listed on your electric bill or in the white pages of the phone book.

     If power is out over a widespread are, it may take a longer time to restore power everywhere.  If it will be out for an extended period of time here are some things to remember:

• Unless there is an emergency, do not call 9-1-1.  That number should ONLY be used is there is an EMERGENCY or if some is injured or in danger.
• If power lines are down call 9-1-1 and your utility company.
• DO NOT GO NEAR DOWNED POWER LINES.
• Listen to your battery powered radio for news to find out when power might be restored.
• Dress to stay warm -- wear layers including a sweater, sweatshirt, jacket, gloves and knit hat.
• Avoid opening your refrigerator and freezer.  Food should stay cold for hours if the door is closed.
• Unplug some of your major appliances.

When the power comes back on, all of those appliances can create a drain or power surge.  This can harm sensitive equipment.  To avoid a power surge when the electricity returns, turn off computers, TV's, and other unnecessary electronic equipment at the power source.  Leave a light on so you'll know when the power is restored.

IF YOU IF YOU HAVE A GENERATOR...   

     Do NOT connect it to your home's power system unless it has been properly installed and make sure you are disconnected from the main power grid when it is operating.  If you do not disconnect from the power grid, you can be sending electricity back down the lines; not just to your home.  That could be deadly for power company workers.  NEVER operated a generator inside your home or garage.  The generator creates CO which is deadly.  Operate the generator outside at least 10 feet to 15 feet from your home.

     If you have a fireplace or woodstove, you can use it for heat.  NO NOT USE kerosene heaters, BBQ grills or any outdoor type heater inside.  Such devices create poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide (CO).  Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas given off by combustion and can kill.

     CHECK ON ELDERLY NEIGHBORS...or those who may have medical conditions or use medical machinery that operate on electricity.  Make sure they are dressed appropriately warm.  If someone needs to have machinery that operates on electricity, move that person to a place that has power

     If you have to go out, drive carefully.  Remember that traffice signals may be out during a power outage.  Consider each intersection to be a four-way stop and drive defensively.

REMEMBER...PORTABLE PHONES DO NOT WORK WHEN THE POWER IS OUT!   Have one telephone that plugs into a telephone jack to make calls during a power outage.

BE SAFE...BE PREPARED!