Storm Preparedness

• Close drapes and blinds on the sunny side of your home to prevent the sun’s rays from directly heating a home.
• Drink plenty of cool liquids, even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose clothing.
• Reduce, eliminate, or reschedule strenuous activities to a cooler time of the day.
• Cool down by taking a bath in tepid water. Water conducts heat away from the body, so bathing is an effective cooling technique.

• Gather in a central room where there is an alternative heat source such as a fireplace.
• Make sure each family member has a warm coat, gloves, and hat. Dress in loose layers of clothing.
• If the indoor temperature drops to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or below, open faucets slightly so they constantly drip to prevent water pipes from freezing.
• If candles and portable heaters are used, never leave them unattended.
• Never use a gas range for room heating.
• Never use charcoal as an indoor heating or cooking source.
• Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start or quicken a fire. Always keep a screen around an open flame, and don’t close the damper while ashes are still hot.
• Remember, a fuel-burning heater, such as a kerosene heater, requires proper ventilation to prevent buildup of harmful fumes.
• Place heaters on a hard, non-combustible surface.

• Always stay away from power lines. Downed power lines may appear to be harmless, but could be energized and dangerous. 
• If a person or object is in contact with a power line, do not touch the person, object, or line. The electric current could flow through to you. Call 911 and Liberty at 1-800-206-2300 (Electric & Water)  immediately.
• If your vehicle comes into contact with a power line, stay inside. Warn others not to approach the vehicle or attempt to touch the vehicle or line.
• If you must leave your vehicle, jump clear to avoid being in contact with the car and the ground at the same time.

• Perishable or frozen food that has been held at a temperature above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours should be thrown away.
• Rarely open either the refrigerator or freezer door so cold air does not escape.
• Keep a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so you can monitor the temperature when you open the door.
• If an outage appears to be lengthy, pack perishable items into a cooler surrounded by ice or dry ice. If outside temperatures are cold enough, below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, you can store the cooler outdoors.
• After electricity is restored, take the time to examine all of your perishable items to make sure they have not spoiled. If in doubt, throw it out!
• Before returning food to a refrigerator or freezer, clean and disinfect it thoroughly. You can sanitize the space with one teaspoon of bleach in one quart of water. Do not use more bleach, as it can be toxic. Leave the door open until it dries completely.

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper usage of a portable generator.
• Only operate generators outdoors to avoid deadly fumes accumulating in the house.
• When using a portable generator, plug appliances directly into the generator.
• Only refuel the generator when the engine is off and cool.
• Never connect a portable generator or alternative energy system (such as wind or solar) to your home’s main electrical panel. This creates the potential for electricity to back feed into electric lines and may result in injury or death to line workers or others.

Liberty asks customers who are dependent on electricity for life-sustaining equipment to register their information annually by contacting Liberty at 1-800-206-2300 (Electric & Water). Customer service representatives can provide a form that must be signed by a physician. This information allows Liberty to have complete knowledge about each customer’s individual needs.

Registration does not guarantee continuous service or priority restoration, nor does it prevent disconnection from service resulting from late or unpaid account balances. Liberty encourages customers dependent on electricity for medical equipment to have a back-up power source or maintain an up-to-date relocation plan until power is restored.

Liberty installs and maintains these components:
1. The service wire that carries energy from the service line to your home or business
2. The electric meter that measures how much energy you are using

The customer is responsible for these components:
3. The service bracket or pipe riser that protects the connection point for the lines entering your
home or business
4. The weatherhead which keeps rain and other material out of the pipe riser
5. The pipe riser which protects the lines entering the meter base
6. The meter base that protects your connections to the meter

Only a licensed electrician should ever attempt to work on these parts of your electrical
system.