Summer storm safety

Lightning strikes, booming thunder, and torrential rain are powerful forces that, when coming in contact with utility infrastructure, can lead to power outages and damage to equipment.

Here are some lightning safety tips to keep you and your family safe:
• Head indoors at the first sign of lightning and invest in a surge protection device for your home electronics.
• Stay off corded phones, computers, and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity.
• Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths, and faucets.
• Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
• Immediately move off elevated areas.
• Never lie flat on the ground.
• Never shelter under an isolated tree.
• Immediately get out of and away from bodies of water.

Backup generators are great during power outages, but please be sure a licensed professional installed it through a transfer switch. Improperly wired generators can result in electricity backfeeding onto power lines, which can be incredibly dangerous for those inside your home and co-op lineworkers. Never operate a generator indoors or in confined spaces.

A good tip to remember: Keep fridges and freezers closed as much as possible during a power outage. An unopened refrigerator will safely keep food cold for about four hours; a full freezer will do so for about 48 hours.