Hurricane & Storm Communications Toolkit

Now that Hurricane [insert name] has passed through, there may be power lines down throughout the area. Never, ever touch a downed power line or go near one. You have to always assume the power line is live. Also, don’t touch anything that is in contact with a fallen power line. It could also conduct electricity.

See a downed power line? Please report it to [insert information for reporting downed power lines].

We know you’re ready to get things back to normal at your house or neighborhood, but please do not pull tree limbs off power lines. It is not safe. Call us and we’ll be there soon to help.

Your safety is our top concern. Avoid areas with debris, fallen trees, downed power lines, as well as chain link fences and puddles that could be electrified.

Be safe following Hurricane [insert name] and don’t try to make electrical repairs yourself. Let our crews of experienced professionals handle the job or call a professional electrician.

Did you know: there’s something called a weatherhead located above the electric meter where the electrical wires exit the conduit. Your weatherhead is necessary for reconnecting power. If it’s damaged, utility workers cannot reconnect service to your home. Check your weatherhead for damage. If repairs are needed, contact a licensed electrician.

Important safety tip: you should always operate portable generators in an open and ventilated area and NEVER inside your home or garage. That could be deadly. Also, don’t connect generators to your home’s main electrical system. This could create a back feed that could injure electric crews.

Remember to never run a generator in an enclosed space or indoors. Most generator-related injuries and deaths involve carbon monoxide poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially enclosed spaces. Always place the generator at least 15-20 feet from the house and away from doors and windows.

Use battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms in your home and garage so you can detect any dangerous amounts of emissions when running a generator.

Don’t run a portable generator in the rain. The exception is if you cover and vent it. Also, make sure your hands and feet are dry before touching or starting the generator. Try to avoid standing near wet areas or puddles when operating your generator.

Don’t try to power your home’s wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. This is incredibly dangerous and presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer.

Before refueling, turn off a gas-powered generator and let it cool. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts can ignite. Allowing the engine to cool also reduces the risks of burns while refueling.

Remember to turn off your generator before turning your house power back on.

The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about four hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed).

Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40° F or below.

If the power has been out for several days, then check the temperature of the freezer with an appliance thermometer or food thermometer. If the food still contains ice crystals or is at 40° F or below, the food is safe.

Concerned about your food: when in doubt, throw it out!! And, never taste a food to determine its safety.

Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with flood water.

Do not eat food packed in plastic, paper, cardboard, cloth and similar containers that have been water damaged.

Inspect canned foods and discard any food in damaged cans. You can tell a can is damaged if there is swelling, leakage, punctures, holes, fractures, extensive deep rusting or crushing/denting severe enough to prevent normal stacking or opening with a manual, wheel-type can opener.

Never, ever touch a downed power line or go near one. Always assume the power line is live. #FLPublicPower

Do not touch anything or anyone in contact with a fallen power line or other equipment. #FLPublicPower

If a power line falls on your car, stay inside the vehicle and call for help. #FLPublicPower

Report downed power lines by [insert information for reporting downed power lines]. #FLPublicPower

Don’t try to pull tree limbs off power lines yourself. It’s not safe. We’ll be there as soon as we can to help. #FLPublicPower

Be safe following Hurricane [insert name]. Avoid areas w/ debris, downed trees & lines and chain link fences & puddles that could be electrified. #FLPublicPower

Please don’t attempt to make electrical repairs yourself. Let our crews of experienced professionals help you. #FLPublicPower

Have you inspected your home’s weatherhead for damage? It’s located above the electric meter where the electrical wires exit the conduit. #FLPublicPower

Utility workers cannot reconnect service to your home if your weatherhead is damaged. #FLPublicPower

If your weatherhead (necessary for reconnecting power) is damaged, contact a licensed electrician for repairs. #FLPublicPower

Don’t use an electrical device if it got wet. If it’s still plugged in, turn off the power at the main breaker. #FLPublicPower

Have an electrician check any electrical devices that got wet during the storm before using it again. #FLPublicPower

Operate portable generators in an open and ventilated area, never in the home or garage. #FLPublicPower

Don’t connect generators to your home’s main electrical system. This could create a back feed and injure electric crews. #FLPublicPower

Always place the generator at least 15-20 feet from the house and away from doors and windows. #FLPublicPower

Use battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms in your home and garage so you can detect any dangerous amounts of emissions when running a generator. #FLPublicPower

Don’t run a portable generator in the rain. The exception is if you cover and vent it. #FLPublicPower

Make sure your hands and feet are dry before touching or starting the generator. Try to avoid standing near wet areas or puddles when operating your generator. #FLPublicPower

Don’t try to power your home’s wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. This is incredibly dangerous and presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. #FLPublicPower

Before refueling, turn off a gas-powered generator and let it cool. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts can ignite. Allowing the engine to cool also reduces the risks of burns while refueling. #FLPublicPower

Remember to turn off your generator before turning your house power back on. #FLPublicPower

The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about four hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed). #FLPublicPower

Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40° F or below. #FLPublicPower

If the power has been out for several days, check the temperature of the freezer with an appliance thermometer or food thermometer. If the food still contains ice crystals or is at 40° F or below, the food is safe. #FLPublicPower

Concerned about your food: when in doubt, throw it out!! And, never taste a food to determine its safety. #FLPublicPower

Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with flood water. #FLPublicPower

Do not eat food packed in plastic, paper, cardboard, cloth and similar containers that have been water damaged. #FLPublicPower

Get rid of damaged cans. It’s damaged if it’s swelling, leaking, has punctures, holes, fractures or extensive deep rusting or crushing/denting severe enough to prevent normal stacking or opening with a manual, wheel-type can opener. #FLPublicPower