TIPS TO PREPARE FOR COLD WEATHER

ATHENS, Tenn. – It may be unseasonably warm right now, but colder weather is bound to set in on us in the Tennessee valley before long.

“That’s why we are encouraging our customers to get everything ready, so that they aren’t in a bad spot when cold weather really kicks in, especially if it leads to power outages,” said AUB’s Wayne Scarbrough.

“We want everyone to be able to stay safe and warm throughout the winter season, so we wanted to share a few tips on what they can do to be prepared well before the first really cold snap,” he said.

Weather can be unpredictable, so it is always good to be prepared for whatever conditions occur, especially if those conditions can cause power outages, freezing home-water lines or other issues.

Community members can take these simple steps now, before the cold, to safely prepare for winter weather and any outages that may affect them:

• Remember, AUB’s Facebook page isn’t the place to report power outages or other problems.   Please report any utility problems by calling (423) 745-3131.
• Ensure that your home has an adequate supply of flashlights, fresh batteries, bottled water, non-perishable foods, and any medicine you need.
• Have a portable, battery-operated radio, TV and/or a special weather radio ready to use.
• If you use a generator during a power outage, be sure to follow all of the manufacturer's instructions to ensure safe operation of the unit.  And remember to operate your generator outside, not inside a building or garage where fumes can build up.
• Also remember, gas-powered generators can cause electric power to be sent back onto power lines that crews may be working on, which could be deadly for an AUB worker. 
• Standby generator installers know exactly what to do to avoid back-feed from occurring so that linemen can safely work on power lines. Be sure to have a professional install your unit and tell you how to avoid back-feeding onto power lines.
• If you use a generator until your service is restored, you can watch for utility crews and turn the generator off when crews are in your area if you are not sure. Excess electricity created by a generator can feed back onto the electric lines, severely injuring a lineman working on a power line, believing it to be de-energized.
• If you use oxygen or other medical devices, have a plan to ensure your safety in the event of a long power outage.
• Ensure that you make arrangements for where you can stay for a couple of days if you are impacted by a major loss of power or natural gas.  This is particularly important for families or individuals with special medical needs or elderly members.
• If our area gets a big snowfall, hazardous driving conditions can bring traffic accidents and downed power lines or poles.  Please be safe if you are driving and come upon emergency responders or other work crews.  You can help them by moving over, if possible, to give crew vehicles room to maneuver.
• Never use portable grills or other outdoor appliances or equipment inside your home for cooking or heating.  They may emit dangerous carbon monoxide in addition to other hazards.
• Lastly, stay away from power lines that have fallen or lines that are sagging.  Consider all lines energized, as well as trees or limbs in contact with lines, and report any downed power lines to AUB by calling (423) 745-3131.

“We want everyone to be as safe and secure as possible throughout the winter.  These tips can help ensure you and your family stay safe,” Scarbrough said.