Harsh weather sometimes means unavoidable springtime power outages. If your power goes out:
- Check your circuit breakers, see if the neighbors have lost their power, too, and then call the St. Charles Electric Utility at (630) 443-3681.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors shut to help keep the temperature from dropping. A closed refrigerator will stay cold for up to 12 hours.
- Leave one light switch on so you will know when power is restored. Unplug other appliances so they are not damaged when the power comes back on.
- If you have a back-up generator, equip it with a double-throw switch that will disconnect your home's circuits from ours. Throw the switch if you turn on the generator.
Following are more electric safety tips for spring and summer . . .
- Call before you dig! 800-892-0123 Whether you're a homeowner landscaping your yard or a professional contractor digging utility trenches, remember to call JULIE at least two working days before you dig. It's a free service, and it's required by state law.
- Fly kites in large, open areas like a park or field, safely away from trees, overhead power lines and other electrical equipment. If a kite or balloon gets stuck in a tree that is near a power line, don't climb up to get it. Contact the Electric Utility (630-443-3681) for help.
- Never enter an electric substation for any reason. The substations contain high-voltage equipment that can kill. If a ball or toy strays inside a substation fence, call the Electric Utility (630-443-3681) for assistance.
- Electrically powered lawn mowers should not be used on wet grass. Use an extension cord designed for outdoor use and rated for the power need of your mower.
- Always look for the UL listing mark before purchasing a power tool, garden appliance or electrical product. Before each use, inspect power tools for frayed cords or cracked casings. Make sure the power is off before plugging anything in.
- When using tools or extension cords outside, make sure they are appropriate for outdoor use, and do not use them around wet areas.
- Never alter a product or remove safety features, such as blade guards or electric plug grounding pins.
- While operating a saw, keep the cord away from the cutting area and position it so it will not be caught on the work piece.
- Keep vegetation and permanent structures away from the large, green boxes that house components of an underground electrical system. St. Charles Electric Utility workers may need to access the underground lines and equipment near these boxes during unplanned outages and routine maintenance.
- Be aware of overhead power lines nearby before climbing a ladder or extending the handle of telescoping tools.
- Before every use, inspect power tools and electric lawn mowers for frayed power cords, broken plugs and weathered or damaged housings. Don't use damaged equipment until it has been repaired properly. Keep tools unplugged and stored in dry areas when they are not in use.
- Before you trim tree limbs and shrubs, watch out for power lines that could be hidden by foliage. Contact the St. Charles Electric Utility if there are concerns about tree limbs growing into or around overhead power lines on your property.
