PUD makes suggestions for outages

EPHRATA - Ninety-nine percent of the time Grant PUD's customers enjoy reliable energy when they flip on a light switch.

But, while outages are rare, it's important to prepare.

That's why Grant PUD and the American Red Cross have partnered to encourage residents to get a preparedness kit, make an action plan, and be informed about winter outages before they occur.

You can take these actions before, during and after a power outage to make life a little more comfortable:

• Turn off your home's heating and cooling system and turn it back on 10 minutes after an outage has been restored.
• Turn off or disconnect any appliances (stoves, etc.), equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage these devices.
• Make sure you have a battery-powered radio on hand to stay informed of current information related to your community.
• Leave one light turned on so you'll know when the power returns.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours.
• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, or any partially enclosed area.

For more information on disaster and emergency preparedness, including how to get a kit, make a plan and be informed, visit the Red Cross website at www.redcross.org.

If you experience an outage in your area, please call Grant PUD at (800) 216-5226 to report the outage. You may be asked for information, or you may hear a message if someone else has already reported the outage.

- Staff report