As the weather grows colder in many parts of the United States, EEI and our member companies are committed to helping you and your family stay safe.

Winter Safety Tips 

• Prepare now for potential winter storms by making sure your Emergency Outage Kit is stocked with food, water, medication, batteries, and other necessary items. It also is important that your family’s contact information is current with your local electric company. This will help you receive updated information should a power outage occur during a winter storm.
• Keep space heaters away from flammable objects and curtains, and always turn them off before leaving your home.
• Be careful on snowy or icy walkways and be sure to check on elderly or handicapped neighbors.
• Check the latest traffic conditions and use major streets or highways when possible as these roadways will be cleared first. Should a power outage occur, report it immediately to your local electric company. Use flashlights (such as LED flashlights that can be very bright) instead of candles to reduce the risk of fire.
• Never plug extension cords into one another, do not overload them, and make sure you check to see if they are rated for indoor or outdoor use.
• Never leave electrical holiday decorations on while sleeping or away from home. Remove and store the decorations after the holidays.