N.C. Electric Cooperatives Stand Ready As Winter Weather Arrives

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- North Carolina's electric cooperatives' staff and line crews are in place and prepared to respond if winter weather causes power outages this weekend. Major power outages in co-op service territories are not expected, but the electric cooperatives urge residents to heed safety and preparation advice during the winter storm.

SAFETY TIPS

• Winter weather can lead to dangerous conditions on roadways. Stay off the roads if possible, and if you must drive, use extreme caution.
• If you see electric utility crews working on the side of the road, slow down and leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the workers.
• If you're without electricity and want to use a portable generator, make sure you use it in a well-ventilated area. Do not connect a generator to your home's electrical panel or fuse boxes. It may cause electricity to feed back into the power lines, which can endanger linemen and damage electric service facilities.
• If using Sterno or charcoal to cook food, always to do so outside in a well-ventilated area. Cooking indoors with Sterno or charcoal will produce deadly carbon-monoxide fumes.
• Remember, following a storm, debris can cover power lines that have fallen and even standing near lines that are down can be dangerous.
• Take time to make sure cell phones and back-up batteries are charged now, before the storm hits, so that you can stay connected throughout the winter storm.

OUTAGE REPORTING

Electric cooperative members are asked to report power outages or any dangerous situations caused by the storm to their local electric cooperative. For outage reporting phone numbers and the counties served by each co-op, refer to www.ncelectriccooperatives.com/co-ops/coops.htm. Stay tuned to Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates and safety tips in the event of power outages in electric cooperative service territory this weekend.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA'S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES

North Carolina's electric cooperatives provide power to more than 2.5 million people in 93 of the state's 100 counties, primarily in rural areas.

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SOURCE North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives