Power Outage Myths and Truths

Spring storms are an inevitable part of the weather for many parts of the U.S. and sometimes they cause power outages, which can cause headaches for many homeowners. But who is responsible for the repairs when an outage occurs? And is there anything you can do to be prepared? Suppliers and utilities have different responsibilities when it comes to keeping your power flowing. We’ll touch on a few myths and truths about power outages as well as who is responsible for keeping your energy flowing so you can be a little more prepared when an outage occurs.

• Myth: The power is out and there’s nothing I can or should do – It’s better to just avoid the situation.
• Truth: Safely assess your surroundings – Can you see what issue is causing the outage? Are there any obvious dangers to avoid? Be sure to note any downed power lines. Stay away from the downed lines and anything they may touch. Never remove debris that’s located within ten feet of a power line. Take note of any potential issues when reporting the outage to your utility.
• Myth: I should notify my supplier of the outage – I’ll call my supplier and they will send someone out to fix the problem.
• Truth: the local utility maintains power lines and is responsible for shut-offs and outages –   While we are proud to supply your  energy, your local utility maintains the power lines that delivers energy to your home and is responsible for maintenance and emergency repairs.  If an outage has occurred, contact them as soon as possible and provide them with your assessment of the situation, including any downed lines. Follow the instructions provided by your utility until your power has been restored. 
• Myth: There’s no way for me to be prepared for an outage – There’s really nothing I can do about potential upcoming outages.
• Truth: Make a plan – Knowing what to do when a power outage occurs helps keep everyone safe and could help keep your home running while power is unavailable. Consider keeping a stock of supplies, such as flashlights and bottled water, in a central meeting location and let your family know where to come together if you do experience an outage. Investing in a backup generator could help keep important appliances running until power is restored. Also consider writing down or saving your local utility’s phone number so you don’t have to search for it.

While we can’t predict when a power outage will occur, there are steps you can take to help protect yourself, your family and your home. Don’t forget to contact your energy utility if you require repairs or maintenance. If you are a current customer and have questions about power outages, call our Customer Care Representatives toll free at 1-866-258-3782 Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Eastern Time.

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