Storm Center
SAFETY TIPS FOR YOUR FAMILY
Before a Storm
When you know a storm is approaching, there are some things you can do to prepare your home and your family. Here are some tips.
Stock up on important items
Assemble supplies to have on hand rather than rushing around when the storm is coming and waiting in long lines. Rotate your supplies to keep them fresh.
- Keep a 3- to 5-day supply of drinking water in plastic bottles. Plan on at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day.
- Store a manual can opener with enough nonperishable foods to last 3 to 5 days. Canned meats, tuna fish and peanut butter are good foods to store. Don’t forget pet foods!
- Maintain a supply of prescriptions, nonprescription drugs, vitamins and special dietary foods.
- Have a camp stove or grill for outdoor cooking.
- Keep sanitary and personal hygiene supplies replenished. Pre-moistened cleansing towelettes are useful and help conserve water.
- Keep plenty of gas in your car.
- Keep extra batteries, matches, propane, charcoal and firewood.
Plan communication and care
Create a plan on how you’ll stay in touch with others outside of your home. This is especially true for snow storms or other natural disasters that could last more than a few hours.
- Coordinate with neighbors for care of the elderly and disabled living alone.
- Have a portable, battery-powered radio and alarm clock.
- Have one non-portable phone that will work even if power is interrupted.
- Plan where to meet and how to communicate with family members if separated.
- Keep essential family member contact information near your phone, in your wallet, and in your glove compartment.
Stay happy, healthy and warm
Ensure you have ways to stay comfortable during any kind of storm. Here are some helpful tips!
- Use plastic trash bags and ties for garbage.
- Put first-aid kits in your home and car.
- Make sure you have cold weather clothing, foul weather gear, blankets and sleeping bags.
- Consider purchasing alternative UL-approved heating devices. For example, a fireplace insert or woodstove will keep the heat in your home instead of up the chimney.
- Use flashlights and other battery-operated lighting instead of candles.
- Keep fire extinguishers fully charged.
- Fill your bathtub with water for bathroom use before the storm (if you have a well).
- Conserve water by using paper plates and plastic utensils.
During a Storm
Summer Storms can be fascinating to watch, but can also be very dangerous to communities and linemen. When lightning is present, stay away from trees and playgrounds, and if you see any fallen power lines or trees near power lines, contact Fulton County REMC.
Fulton County REMC does our best to keep outages to a minimum, but storms and other natural disasters sometimes take a turn for the worse.
If you experience an outage during a storm, learn the steps to take to report the outage below.
If You Experience an Outage
Check your breaker. If you still have an outage, please call our office at 574-223-3156 and tell us your map location number during the hours of 7:30am – 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Any other time please the after hours emergency number at 1-800-286-2265.
After a Storm
Once a storm passes, that doesn’t mean the danger is over. Here are some helpful tips to stay safe when it comes to electricity.
NEVER touch any downed wire – it can kill. Telephone or cable TV wires that touch a power line can be deadly. Call the office to report the location of any downed line to Fulton County REMC. You can also contact local authorities or 911.
NEVER try to make your own electrical repairs. Let our crews do dangerous work.
NEVER pull tree limbs off lines yourself.
NEVER go into areas with debris or downed trees. Dangerous power lines may be buried in wreckage.
NEVER step in puddles. They may be electrified.
NEVER connect portable generators to your household electrical wiring. Connect only essential appliances – freezers and refrigerators – directly to a generator. Click here for more on using a generator safely.
NEVER walk into areas while crews work. If you’re driving near work crews, obey road signs and proceed cautiously.