Pennsylvania PUC asks consumers to practice safety measures during power outages
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently asked residents to take extreme care during power outages, which have become increasingly common due to inclement weather this spring.
The Pennsylvania PUC urged residents to call their utility companies directly during a power outage because it is the only way to ensure that a utility company is aware of an outage. Residents were also asked to call 911 in the event that a power outage creates a potentially hazardous situation, such as a downed power line in a large body of water, or is within reach of a high priority facility, such as a nursing home or hospital.
The PUC also reminded residents to take care near downed power lines and to refrain from touching tree limbs, water or any other potentially conductive materials with which downed power lines have come into contact. Residents were asked to unplug all electronics, excluding refrigerators and freezers, during an outage, because power surges and spikes could damage appliances.
Those using generators were asked to use only outlets connected to the generator directly, because plugging in electronics to a main outlet could harm service men working outside.
Residents were also encouraged to check on elderly neighbors and other high priority community members.
