Power outage safety tips

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Power outages may affect any number of Continental Divide Electric Cooperative customers, and company spokesman Mac Juarez said there are some emergency and safety tips customers should be aware of when an outage occurs.

"Think about the kinds of emergency supplies you should have on hand for possible outages," he said.

Make sure you have a battery-powered radio and the batteries are fresh, he said. Also have extra fresh batteries on hand.

Emergency information is often provided to the public during an outage on local radio stations.

Never, ever touch a downed power line.

Here are safety tips and suggested emergency supplies to have on hand in preparation for power outages.

Emergency supplies

• Candles with holders and matches or lighters
  
• Non-perishable food
  
• A battery powered radio with fresh batteries
  
• A wind-up clock
  
• Bottled water
• Extra batteries are essential in case your flashlight and radio batteries expire during an outage.
• If possible, have a large cooler to fill with ice to keep medicines cold, such as insulin, so they do not become unusable.

Safety tips

• It is critical for people who are on electric-powered medical equipment, such as oxygen concentrators, to have battery powered backups.
• Turn off light switches and appliances to reduce the load when the power comes back.
• Turn lights and appliances on slowly once power is restored.

Residents should follow these tips, provided by CDEC, during a thunderstorm:

• Avoid open spaces, large trees and metal objects.
• Stay inside a building or a vehicle.
• If inside, avoid water do not take a bath or shower.
• Stay away from windows.
• Do not operate computers or telephones.
• Turn off and unplug other appliances such as TVs.
• Lightning may strike exterior electricity and phone lines transporting shocks to equipment inside homes or apartments.

To report power outages residents and businesses may call the 24 hour hotline at 1-877-775-5211.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call (505) 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.