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General

• install a smoke detector on each level of your home.
• test smoke detectors once a month.
• keep your smoke detectors dust free.
• change your smoke detector batteries twice a year. when you change your clock is a good time to change your smoke detector batteries.
• never remove working smoke detector batteries to use in toys or for any other reason. smoke detectors save lives!

• plan a fire escape plan with your family.
• make sure all family members are familiar with the plan.
• practice your escape plan at least twice a year. it is good to practice in the winter so you know what to do in cold weather.
• every room should have at least 2 ways to escape. an exit without opening a bedroom door is important.
• decide on a meeting place outside and away from the house so all family members can gather and be accounted for.
• if you suspect fire, get out and call the fire department from a neighbor's house.
• never re-enter a burning building!

Downed Power Lines

• Downed power lines can carry an electric current strong enough to cause serious injury or possibly death. High voltages also may be transmitted through materials other than power lines. A wooden pole, a kite, cable or other normally non-conducting material may carry an electrical current if it becomes wet or soiled.
• It is not possible to determine if a downed power line is energized. Never touch or attempt to move a downed power line or a person who is in contact with a power line.
• Keep children and pets away from areas where power lines may have fallen.
• Don’t drive over downed power lines.
• If a downed line is near water, keep a safe distance from the line and the water, even if it is a small puddle.
• If a power line falls over your car, stay in the car. If you must leave the car because of immediate danger, jump free of the car, making sure that no part of your body is touching the car when you come in contact with the ground.
• Be careful not to stand under tree limbs or power lines. Tree limbs can become weakened during a storm but not fall until several hours or even days after the storm. The same can be true for power lines or poles that sustain damage.

Power Outage Tips

• Make sure there are flashlights, a battery-powered radio and fresh batteries in an easily accessible area.
• Periodically, check supplies of non-perishable foods, bottled water and medication. Try to keep a three-day supply on hand. Stock up if needed.
• Check medications that require refrigeration to be sure you know if they will be affected by a prolonged interruption of power. Consult a doctor or pharmacist if you’re not sure. You may want to keep a small cooler handy to use for special medication.
• Always have a first-aid kit with current supplies in a convenient location.
• In winter, have an alternate source of heating available, along with extra fuel, such as wood for wood-burning stoves and fireplaces.
• Remember that cordless phones won’t work when the power goes out. Have at least one cord phone or cell phone available for use during power outages.
• Know how to manually operate your garage door. If power is lost, your garage door opener will not work.
• Use surge suppressors to protect sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers. If you are home during a severe storm, you may want to unplug sensitive equipment.
• Be prepared to cook outside on a grill or camp stove. Never bring a grill indoors. Without proper ventilation, grills can be deadly.
• If it appears that a storm is imminent, take these steps:
  • Fill a tub and spare containers with water in the event the electric water pump or the municipal water system becomes unavailable.
  • Check to ensure that elderly family members or friends who live alone are prepared for the weather.
  • Unplug sensitive equipment.

• Report a power outage to your local power company.
• Immediately report any power line hazards toyour power company.
• Do not touch downed or hanging power lines or anything touching them. Visit Downed Power Lines for more information.
• Monitor the status of power restoration activities on local radio stations.
• Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer. Food will stay frozen in a fully loaded freezer for 36 to 48 hours if the doors remain closed. If the freezer is half full, the food will generally keep 24 hours. See Food Safety Information for information on specific food items.
• Keep candles away from furniture, draperies and other flammable materials. Also, keep children and pets away from open flames.
• Disconnect or turn off appliances that were on when the power outage occurred. Leave a light on so you will know when power is restored.
• Use space heaters only in well ventilated areas.
• Use a camp stove, fireplace or can of sterno for cooking. Don’t use charcoal or any other fuels in unventilated areas.
• If you leave your home while the power is out, double-check that all heat producing appliances, such as stoves, irons and curling irons are unplugged.
• If there is severe damage and it appears that the outage will last an extended period of time, consider moving to an alternate location.

• Consult a licensed electrician to select the right generator for your situation. Make sure that the generator meets national and local electrical safety code requirements.
• Make sure the generator is in a well-ventilated area to reduce the risk of breathing harmful fumes.
• Never connect the generator’s electrical output to any home or building electrical circuits.
• If the generator is connected to a breaker panel or fuse box, turn off or disconnect the main breaker to the house while you are using the generator.
• Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.
• Plug appliances directly into the generator.
• Avoid contact with bare wires and terminals.
• Always use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) in any damp or highly conductive areas.

• Make sure there are flashlights, a battery-powered radio and fresh batteries in an easily accessible area.
• Periodically, check supplies of non-perishable foods, bottled water and medication. Try to keep a three-day supply on hand. Stock up if needed.

• If you typically use a garage door opener, make sure you take a house key to regain entry into your home, in the event that your service is still out when you return. Know how to manually operate your garage door. If power is lost, your garage door opener will not work.
• If your home has a security system, consult your owner’s manual or contact the service you subscribe to, if applicable. You may need to disengage the system before or while your service is interrupted.

• Use surge suppressors to protect sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers. If possible, it is recommended to unplug all sensitive equipment before any planned outages. If you forget to do so, unplug the equipment before your service is restored; however, we recommend consulting the appliances’ owner’s manual.
• If you leave your home while the power is out, double-check that all heat producing appliances, such as stoves, irons and curling irons are unplugged.
• Make sure you have flashlights, a battery-powered radio and fresh batteries in an easily accessible area.

• Check medications that require refrigeration to be sure you know if they will be affected by a prolonged interruption of power. Consult a doctor or pharmacist if you’re not sure. You may want to keep a small cooler handy to use for special medication.
• Always have a first-aid kit with current supplies in a convenient location.
• Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer. Food will stay frozen in a fully loaded freezer for 36 to 48 hours if the doors remain closed. If the freezer is half full, the food will generally keep 24 hours. See Food Safety Information for information on specific food items.
• Remember that cordless phones won’t work when the power goes out. Have at least one cord phone or cell phone available for use during power outages.
• Periodically, check supplies of non-perishable foods, bottled water and medication. Stock up if needed.

Cold Weather Fire Safety Reminders

• Never leave a fire unattended!!!
• Have your chimney and fireplace inspected annually by a certified chimney sweep. They will check for creosote build-up, cracks, crumbling bricks, and obstructions.
• Make sure the fireplace opening is covered with a sturdy metal screen or heat tempered glass doors.
• To prevent fires in your flue, burn dry, well-seasoned wood. Never burn trash.
• Make sure your wood stove burns hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup.
• Never burn charcoal indoors. It can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide when burned.
• Always be certain the fire in your fireplace is out before going to bed. It is extremely important to NEVER close your damper while there are hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper could cause the fire to flare up again and this will cause toxic carbon monoxide to be released into the house.
• If you are using synthetic logs, always follow the directions on the package. Never break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at a time.
• Place hot ashes outdoors in a covered metal container at least three feet away from anything that could burn.
• For your own best interest, be sure you notify your insurance company upon installation of any new solid fuel burning stoves.

• Make sure you have at least 36 inches of empty space between all heaters and everything else, like curtains, furniture, papers, and people.
• Never leave children unattended in rooms with portable heaters.
• Be sure the heater has a tip-over shut off function.
• Never use an extension cord with portable electric heaters. It is a common cause of fires.
• Check the cord on your electric portable heater. If it is cracked or frayed or gets hot, have the heater serviced.
• Be sure to clean the dust from all heaters. If left to build up, dust and lint can ignite and cause a fire.
• Be sure to turn portable heaters off when leaving the house or sleeping.
• Avoid using portable heaters in the bathroom.

• Leave furnace work to experts. Have a qualified technician check and clean the input and controls every year. Have the technician check the walls and ceiling near the furnace and flue. If they are hot, you may need additional clearance or insulation.
• Be sure the emergency shut off and automatic controls are in good condition.
• Always keep trash, papers, paint, etc. away from the furnace area.

• If your pipes freeze, do not try to thaw them with a blowtorch or other open flame. The pipe could conduct heat and a fire could be started. Try a hand held dryer, hot water or a UL labeled device for thawing.
• Never use an oven or a range to heat your home. This is a safety hazard and could cause a build-up of toxic fumes.
• Be certain that all windows that are used as emergency exits can still be opened in the winter. Practice your escape plan at this time of year.
• If there is a fire hydrant near your house, help keep it clear of snow and debris. We need to be able to access it in case of a fire.

Winter/Bad Weather Driving Tips

• Get your car in top shape
  • Check the air, fuel and emission filters, and the PCV valve.
  • Check the battery.
  • Check the antifreeze levels and the freeze line.
• Know which streets are plowed first: streets with a higher volume of traffic, as well as highways, are often prioritized.

• In winter, consider using snow tires.
• Slow down, slippery roads make every mistake happen faster and more dramatically.
• Look ahead, try to be aware of road ice and other slippery conditions.
• Break Before Turning, smoothly apply your brakes before you reach a corner and then release the brakes and use all the grip of the car to corner.
• Keep a Greater Following Distance, an easy calculation for this distance is four car lengths for every 10 mph you are traveling.
• When Skidding, Avoid Target Fixation (and Your Instincts) - you have to go against your natural tendencies, turn into the skid and accelerate.
• Keep Useful Items in Your Trunk
  • Shovel
  • Tow and tire chains
  • Bag of salt or cat litter
  • Tool kit
  • Ice scraper and snow brush
  • Items to keep you warm such as heavy woolen mittens, socks, a cap and blankets.
• Be Prepared If You Become Stranded:
  • Do not leave your car unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to possible help, and are certain you will improve your situation.
  • If you are sure the car's exhaust pipe is not blocked, run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour or so depending upon the amount of gas in the tank.
  • Keep at least one window open slightly. Heavy snow and ice can seal a car shut.
  • Eat a hard candy to keep your mouth moist.
• Flash floods:
  • "Turnaround, Don't drown"; if you don't know the depth of water before crossing.
  • Abandon stalled vehicles immediately and seek higher ground.
• Tornadoes:
  • Never try and out drive a Tornado.
  • Leave your vehicle, and go to a concrete shelter.
  • If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in the nearest ditch with your hands shielding your head.
  • Be alert for rapidly rising waters in the ditch.
  • Do not seek refuge in an overpass where winds can be magnified.
• Hurricanes:
  • Prepare an evacuation plan. Know where you will go and research several alternate routes before a hurricane threatens.
  • Have current maps on hand.
  • Alert friends and family members of your route and destination.
  • Fill your gas tank before the storm - power outages will shut down gas stations.
• During Summer Heat:
  • Check your tire pressure often with a gauge, especially on long trips.
  • Measure when the tires are cold, before you drive on them.
  • Never leave your child (or pet) unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows down.
  • On hot days, the temperature inside vehicles can climb rapidly and may exceed 100 degrees.
  • Be very careful with children and pets-even when you're at home and the car is parked.
  • Check child seating surfaces and safety belt buckles to prevent burning when securing your child in a safety seat in a car that has been parked in the heat.
  • Use car shades to shade seats (and steering wheel) of your parked car.
  • Flush and refill your cooling system to prevent overheating as recommended in your owner's manual.
  • Check the level, condition, and concentration of the coolant periodically.
  • Never remove the radiatorcap until the engine has thoroughly cooled.
  • Have a professional check the tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses.