Devastation caused by major disasters has taught electric and utility companies that perhaps the most important thing to residents after a disaster, will be restoration of utility services. Major disasters can knock out electric service for three weeks or longer. Electric utilities bring in crews from around the state and surrounding states to help restore power. These men and women work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until every home and business has electricity.

Every electric utility has comprehensive restoration plans, but experience has shown that cooperation and patience from individuals is critical to the success of these plans. You can protect your home and family and help electric crews work more quickly, efficiently and safely, by following the ten steps below:

• Stay clear of fallen lines in your yard or in the street. They still may be energized and deadly. Puddles of water in contact with lines are as dangerous as the live wires themselves.
• Help keep telephone lines clear for emergency calls. It's not necessary to call to report you are out of service or to ask when service will be restored. However, do call to report fallen power lines you can see on the ground in your yard or neighborhood, and call if your power is still out after your neighbors' power has been restored.
• If your home is without electricity, turn off circuit breakers or remove fuses at your electrical panel. This will help protect appliances and your family and home, and it will lessen the chances of circuit overload when service is restored. You can leave one breaker on to operate a light to let you know when power is back on.
• Don't trim trees or remove debris from around fallen lines. If possible, wait until crews are finished restoring power to your area, before cleaning your yard.
• If you must remove debris from in or around your home, don't pile it under or near electrical lines or equipment.
• If you're going to use a portable generator, keep the machine in an open area. The engine emits carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that can kill. Be sure to follow the instructions regarding safe operation. Do not connect the generator directly to your main electrical panel. If installed incorrectly, power from the generator could flow into outside lines and injure you, your neighbors, or unsuspecting utility crews working in your area.

• Damage to your home's electrical system must be repaired before power can be restored. Look at the "weather head" (at the top of your home, where your service drop comes from the pole).  Look at the box that surrounds the meter. Any damage must be repaired by a licensed electrician and inspected by the designated agency.
• If your home is served by underground lines, look at the meter box and piping. Any damage must be repaired by a licensed electrician and inspected by the designated agency.
• If you suspect water is in the walls or ceiling, stay away from the standing water near electrical outlets, and contact an electrician to repair the damage. For speed and efficiency, you and your neighbors could try to get one licensed electrician to inspect all of your homes.
• If you end up living in temporary quarters on your property because of damage to your home, and you need electricity, you'll need to hire an electrician to install a temporary service pole. After that pole is set, your electric utility can provide power.

REMEMBER: During a power outage, try to leave an outside light on as a visual signal to repair crews that power has been restored to your block.