East Coast Prepares for Superstorm
Weather forecasters have predicted that Hurricane Sandy will strike the east coast with powerful, damaging winds and heavy rain on Monday, October 29 into Tuesday, October 30.
Depending on the severity of the storm’s impact on the electrical system, we are encouraging Horizon Services customers in Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Gloucester County New Jersey and Maryland to stay safe by preparing for the possibility of power outages lasting up to seven to 10 days by taking action before the storm occurs:
Plan Ahead for Hurricane Sandy
- Protect your home by keeping wind and water out; secure roof shingles and seal any openings, cracks or holes. Take inside all outdoor furniture so that these items do not become dangerous projectiles.
- If you have a water well and pump, keep an emergency supply of bottled water.
- Turn refrigerator to its coldest setting and keep it closed.
- Stock an emergency supply of convenience foods that do not require cooking.
- If power goes out, shut off your heating and air conditioning unit, stove and water heater. Make sure to unplug appliances like refrigerators and freezers, and sensitive electronic equipment like TVs, stereos, microwaves and computers. This will prevent damage and possible overloads to the system when power is restored.
- Keep a flashlight and extra batteries handy. Use care when burning candles; open flames are a fire hazard.
- Keep a battery-powered radio with extra batteries on hand. Tune in to a local radio station for current storm information.
- Gather extra blankets or a sleeping bag for each person. Portable heaters and burning candles that are left unattended, especially around children and pets, can create a fire hazard
- Have a hard-wired telephone or a charged cell phone handy in the event you need to report your electricity is out. Mobile phones can be charged in your vehicle using a car charger when power is out.
- If your power goes out, please call your power supply company immediately. A smart phone can be used to report outages online. The more people who call, the faster the supply company can pinpoint the location where crews must be sent for repairs.
- Immediately report downed wires to your local police or fire department. Never go near a downed power line, even if you think it’s no longer carrying electricity. Stay more than 30 feet away from downed power lines, don’t walk or drive near or over a downed line, and watch out for anything touching the line. If a wire falls on a vehicle, passengers should stay inside until help arrives.
- Keep children and pets away from any wires.
- Stay out of flooded basements, even if the power is off. Stay away from the breaker box if it’s in a flooded basement.
- When operating a generator, always disconnect the power coming into your home. Otherwise, power from your generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers. The proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician. Please note that gasoline- or diesel-powered generators and appliances can produce deadly levels of carbon monoxide and should never be operated inside the home or garage.
Contact Horizon Services
Horizon Services: The only full-service plumbing, heating, air conditioning, geothermal, drain cleaning and sewer and water line replacement company in Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Gloucester County New Jersey and Maryland that guarantees on-time service, up-front pricing and the job done right and clean the first time!
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(1) Comment
Phoenix AC Repairmen January 14th, 2013 at 6:01 pm
I hope that people were able to see this article and took some precautions before Sandy hit. I cant believe how slow it has been in getting things back to normal out there. Hopefully people are getting the help they need or were prepared before hand.