Be Prepared When Disaster Strikes

Be Prepared When Disaster Strikes

• DO NOT ever use a charcoal grill indoors, eveninafireplace.• DO NOTsleepinanyroomwithanunventedgasor kerosenespaceheater.• DO NOTuseagasrangeoroventoheatyourhome, evenforashorttime.• DO NOTignoresymptomsofillness,particularlyif morethanonepersonisfeelingthem.Youcouldlose consciousnessanddieifyoudonothing.

Do not strike any matches until you are certain there are no gas leaks.

No one can predict when and how long you might be

displaced from your home when disaster strikes. Being prepared

will lessen the stress. The following information suggests ways to be prepared when disaster strikes.

AVOID CARBON MONOXIDE

Keepyournaturalgasmeterclearduringdeepsnows.Neveruseashovelorkickthe

metertobreakorclearice.Damagetothemetercouldcauseseriousproblems.Also,besureto

clearchimneysandventswithabroomtoenableproperapplianceventingandtopreventcarbonmonoxideaccumulationinyourhomeorbusiness.

Duringcoldweather,opencabinetdoorsandstartaslowwaterdriptohelpavoidfrozenwaterlines.

BEWARE OF HEAVY SNOW & ICE

863-9000www.cityutilities.net

FROZEN WATER LINES

CREATE A PLAN

MAKE AN EMERGENCY KIT• Flashlights and extra batteries• Portable radio• Non-perishable food items to last three days, plus a manual can opener• Water, approximately 3 gallons per person• Medications• First Aid Supplies• Someformofidentification• Cash• Blankets• Extra Clothing• Pet Supplies

Discusswithchildrenandfamilymembersacontactplanandplace.Includeanout-of-towncontactpersonorplacewhereyoumightgo,ifyoumustevacuatethecity.Storevaluabledocuments,suchaspassports,insurancepolicies,andtitlesinasafeplace,suchasabankbox.Placecopiesofthesedocumentsintheemergencykit.

Developacontingencyplanforfamilymemberswithdisabilitiesorspecialmedicalneeds.

REPORT YOUR OUTAGE

Ifsevereweathercausesapoweroutageatyourhomeorbusiness,reportthepoweroutagebycallingCUat1-888-863-9001.Yourprimaryphonenumberallowsustoquicklyidentifyyouroutagearea.

PORTABLE GENERATORS

Portablegeneratorscanbehazardoustoyouandelectricalworkers,ifusedimproperly.Primaryhazardsincludecarbonmonoxidepoisoning,electrocutionandfire.Operategeneratorsoutdoorsinawell-ventilatedarea,awayfromdoors,windows,andvents,topreventcarbonmonoxidepoisoning.Donotrunageneratorinagarage,evenwiththedooropen.

Observethegeneratormanufacturer’sinstructionsforsafeoperationandhowtoavoidelectrocution.Nevertrytopowerthehousewiringbypluggingthegeneratorintoawalloutlet,apracticeknownas“backfeeding”.Thiscreatesanelectrocutionriskandisextremelydangerousforutilityworkersandneighborsservedbythesameelectrictransformer.NotifyCUthatyouhaveageneratorwhenreportinganoutage.

Duringanelectricoutage,theappliancesweuseonadailybasiswillnotwork.Keepinmind,gasfurnacesrequireanelectricblowerandwellwaterusesanelectricpump.Youmustbepreparedtowithstandtheseinconveniencesorrelocatetoacommunityshelter.Remember,toavoidfireorsafetyhazardslater,turnappliancestotheoffposition.Ifyouneedtogotoashelter,bringyouremergencykit,remaincalmandbepatient.Petsarenotallowedatshelters,withtheexceptionofserviceanimals.

COMMUNITY SHELTERS

DAMAGED UTILITY LINES

Stayawayfromutilitylinesbroughttothegroundbystorms—evenifyouarenotsureifitisanelectric,telephoneorcableline.ReportdownedlinesbycallingCUat(417)863-9000andchoose“ElectricServiceProblem.”

Checkyourweatherhead,aweatherproofservicedropentrypointtypicallyonyourroofwhereoverheadpowerentersyourhomeorbusiness.Iftheweatherheadisdamaged,customersmusthaveitrepairedbyaprivate,licensedelectricianbeforeCUcanreconnectelectricservice.TheelectricianisresponsiblefornotifyingCUoncethesestepsarecompletedandpowercanberestoredtoyourhouse.