What’s your plan if you lose power? Here’s what not to do

Staying protected throughout an influence outage will depend on actions you take, and actions you do not.

“If anyone sees any downed wire, stay away from it and call us,” Rodney Oddoye, the chief working officer of Pepco Holdings, informed WTOP.

That quantity is 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662). Pepco primarily supplies energy to houses in DC and Maryland.

Downed wires in Northern Virginia may be known as into Dominion Energy or NOVEC, relying on the locality.

When you want mild, attain for flashlights.

“One thing we really discourage is burning of candles,” Oddoye mentioned, due to the hearth threat.

Another do not: utilizing a transportable generator, until it is outdoor and a good way away from your dwelling.

“Carbon monoxide is also a risk,” Oddoye mentioned.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agencymoveable turbines ought to be positioned at the very least 20 ft away from constructing openings reminiscent of doorways, home windows and garages.

FEMA additionally warns in opposition to utilizing a gasoline range or oven to warmth your home.

Lastly, strive not to open your fridge or freezer if you lose energy.

The fridge will preserve the meals inside chilly for about 4 hours, however if perishable meals warms to 40 levels for 2 or extra hours, you ought to throw it out, in accordance to FEMA.

The identical goes for any meals that appears, smells or tastes bizarre after an influence outage.

When doubtful, throw it out, is FEMA’s recommendation.

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