Lights Out in Montgomery County

When the Lights Go Out, Be Ready

 

The powerful storms that swept through Montgomery County over the holiday weekend left thousands without power, rem  inding us that severe weather can strike with little warning. While utility crews worked quickly to restore service, many families relied on generators, flashlights, and emergency supplies to get through the outage.

 

Now is the perfect time to prepare before the next storm arrives. Keep flashlights with fresh batteries in easy-to-find locations, charge portable power banks before severe weather is forecast, and have enough bottled water, non-perishable food, and medications to last at least three days. Some people found the shelves at the local WalMart completely empty due to the store not having a generator to keep refrigerated foods fresh.

 

If you use a generator, safety comes first. Never operate a generator inside your home, garage, basement, or enclosed porch. Place it outdoors at least 20 feet from your home, with the exhaust pointed away from doors, windows, and vents to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Always turn the generator off and let it cool before refueling, and never plug it directly into a wall outlet—use heavy-duty extension cords or a professionally installed transfer switch.

 

A few minutes of preparation today can make the next power outage far less stressful and help keep your family safe when the unexpected happens.