Energy Adviser: Stay ready for storms in winter

The crocus may be blooming, but that doesn’t mean they’re a match for snow. This week we’ve seen how quickly a storm can blow in and send us back into the thick of wintry weather. It’s also a reminder that with snow and ice come slick roads and heavy tree limbs, both major causes of power outages.

Clark Public Utilities line crews and tree trimmers work year-round to keep the system ready to withstand severe weather, and the result is that in Clark County we enjoy one of the most reliable systems in the region. But even the most meticulously maintained power grid is susceptible to snow and ice, so it’s important to always be prepared for outages.

The Red Cross website is a good source for emergency preparation information and supply lists. To start, it’s helpful to have a basic outage kit on hand that includes a flashlight, fresh batteries, blankets, a three-day supply of drinking water and a supply of non-perishable food such as cereal, peanut butter and crackers. If your kit includes canned food, make sure to add in a manual can opener. Next, protect your home and family with these tips:

• Protect your electrical equipment, such as computers and other devices, with surge protectors.

• If you have an automatic garage door, learn how to open it manually.

• Cordless phones won’t work when the power goes out, so if you rely on a landline, have at least one corded phone in your home. It’s also handy to have important contact numbers printed or written down in advance.

• If you have a camp stove that you can use in your fireplace in an emergency, keep a supply of foods that require little heat to cook, such as canned stews, soups and spaghetti.

• Keep a full tank of gas in your car. In the event of an extended outage, your car will create heat and can also charge portable devices like cellphones and tablets. But never run a car in an enclosed space.

If the lights go out, here’s what you should do:

• Report the outage online using the mobile-friendly form on ClarkPublicUtilities.com and check the online outage map for updates, or call the Clark Public Utilities PowerLine at 360-992-8000, an automated phone system that lets you report an outage and receive up-to-date information.

• Unplug all sensitive electrical equipment, make sure anything that creates heat (like an oven or curling iron) is off, and turn down your furnace thermostat. If everything is turned on at once when the power returns after a large outage, it might overload the system. Leave at least one light on inside and one on the porch so you and the line crews working in your area will know when the power is back on. Wait to turn on any equipment again until lights have returned to their normal brightness.

• Keep freezer and refrigerator doors closed to keep cold air inside. Food will stay frozen in a full freezer for about two days, and for one day in a freezer that’s half full if the doors are kept closed.

• Never burn charcoal briquettes indoors, even in your fireplace. And never run a generator or gas grill indoors to protect from carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Conserve body heat. Put on extra clothing, including a hat. Two or three lightweight layers are warmer than one heavy layer. Also, avoid staying in one position too long. Exercise generates body heat.

• In the event of an extended outage, consider making a plan to stay with a friend or family member until power is restored.

Above all, stay safe and remember never to touch, move or attempt to block off a downed power line. Always assume the line is energized and dangerous. Call 360-992-8000 to report the line, and a crew will be dispatched as quickly as possible to safely repair the problem. Only call 911 if there’s a fire, injury or immediate emergency.

Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98688.