Posted on: Friday, August 7, 2009
Hawaiian Electric offers storm-preparedness tips
Advertiser Staff
With Hurricane Felicia potentially headed toward the Islands, Hawaiian Electric Company asks customers to take the following safety precautions, as appropriate:
Pre-storm actions to take:
Make sure you have a battery-powered radio on hand and listen for updates on the storm.
Double check your emergency equipment at home such as flashlights, radios, cell phones and other battery-powered equipment to be sure they are operational.
Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics. In the event of an outage, this will prevent damage to the equipment from surges when power is restored.
If someone in your home is dependent on electric powered, life sustaining medical equipment, check backup facilities. Plan where to go should the need for evacuation occurs. If you need to go to the hospital or other emergency shelter, remember to take your medical equipment and medications with you to the facility.
If you plan to use a portable generator after the storm, make sure it is placed in a well ventilated area (preferably outside) and be sure to carefully follow all instructions in the manufacturer’s manual. As a general rule, do not plug portable generators into household outlets. Doing so could cause electricity to backflow into power lines endangering the public and Hawaiian Electric workers who may be working to restore power. Electric appliances should be plugged directly into the generator using heavy duty extension cords. Make sure the wattage of the appliances you are using does not exceed the capacity of your generator.
Keep cash on hand. If power outages do occur, you may not be able to withdraw cash from banks or ATMs.
Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings. If power goes out, this will keep food fresher longer.
During a storm:
If your power goes off, use flashlights or chemical light sticks instead of candles or kerosene lamps, and be careful with cooking flames. Open flames may create a fire hazard.
Don't use charcoal or other fossil fuels to cook with indoors, as they can create deadly fumes.
If you were cooking when the outage occurred, remember to turn off the stove, oven or other appliances and remove all items such as pots and pans from the burners. Unplug hair dryers, clothes irons or other devices, which may create a fire hazard when power is restored.
If you become trapped in an elevator, relax and stay calm until help arrives. Use any available emergency communications system in the elevator to communicate where you are and who is with you. Do not try to force open the elevator doors and do not attempt to exit a stalled elevator car without the assistance or direction of trained emergency personnel.
During a power outage, a fully-stocked free-standing freezer will keep most of your foods frozen for up to 72 hours – if you don’t open the door. Resist the urge to peek inside to see if the food is still frozen. Each time you open the door, cold air gets out.
The freezer section of a refrigerator-freezer will keep most of your foods frozen 10 to 24 hours. Try not to open the freezer door during an outage as you’ll let the cold air escape.
Tune in to local media and/or radio stations for important reports from local officials and additional safety and status reports from Hawaiian Electric Company.
Keep telephone lines clear for police and other emergency services. Call Hawaiian Electric Company only to report downed sparking power lines or unsafe electrical equipment. Do not call 911 to report power outages. Key numbers to note:
1. Customer Service inquiries: 548-7311
2. Hawaiian Electric Trouble Line: 548-7961
3. Emergency: 911
