Be prepared for storms

Precipitation and storms have been few and far between lately, but you never know when they could fire up.

During this time of year, severe weather can form quickly and literally "strike" without warning. Allegheny Power offers some tips to prepare in advance for summer storms. Wind and lightning associated with these storms can be destructive and cause power outages. Advance planning can help if you lose power during a storm.

You can prepare for possible power outages by assembling a storm emergency kit. A typical emergency kit should include: flashlights, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, water for drinking and cooking and a supply of canned and other non-perishable foods.

Customers who suffer from health problems or are dependent on home medical equipment should make arrangements for shelter in some place other than their homes if power outages occur.

Violent weather can also knock down power lines. Never touch a downed power line or any object in contact with one. Always assume fallen wires are energized and keep clear of them. Also, pay particular attention to any children or pets in the area to make sure they stay away from downed lines.

Allegheny Power customers should call 1-800-Allegheny (1-800-255-3443) to report outages or electrical emergencies - such as downed wires - during severe weather events. The quickest and easiest way to report an outage is to use the company's outage reporting system. This system is designed to handle tens of thousands of calls without wait times or busy signals. Recent enhancements allow it to also provide up-to-the minute updates on the status of the outage, including estimated restoration time when available. Keep in mind that cordless phones do not work when the power is out.

If the power goes out:

- Turn off major appliances (heat pumps, water heaters, stoves, etc.) and unplug sensitive electronic equipment (TV's computers, microwaves, etc.) to prevent an overload when power is restored.

- Leave one lamp or light on so you can tell when power is restored.

- Open refrigerators and freezers as little as possible to keep contents cold.

- Make sure the area is adequately ventilated prior to using portable or camp-type stoves or lanterns for cooking and lighting.

- Follow the manufacturer's instructions when using a generator. Appliances should be connected directly to the generator using properly sized extension cords. If the generator is wired into the home's electrical system, a doublethrow transfer switch is required to prevent voltage from going out on power lines and endangering Allegheny Power crews.

Allegheny Power's comprehensive storm plan allows it to quickly mobilize crews and equipment to respond to storm-related outages, redeploying company and contractor crews within its service area on short notice to focus extra resources in affected areas. In addition, Allegheny Power can also request assistance from workers and contractors from other electric utility companies as part of mutual aid agreements.

As with all storm-related outages, Allegheny Power first assesses the damage, develops work plans and estimates restoration times once the cause of the outage is known. Priority in restoration is given to hospitals, police departments and other services essential to health and safety. Allegheny Power begins restoring power by focusing first on the transmission and main distribution lines and substations. This restores power to the largest number of customers as quickly as possible. Once substations and transmission and main distribution lines are repaired, Allegheny Power concentrates all of its crews on restoring service to tap lines and service wires for individual homes and businesses.

For more information about preparing for power outages caused by severe weather, call 1-800-Allegheny (1-800- 255-3443) to request a copy of our "What to Do if the Lights Go Out" brochure, or visit our website at www.alleghenypowercom.