Shutting off electricity

If the power goes out:

1. Check your fuse or breaker box for blown fuses or tripped circuits. If they're okay, check to see if your neighbors are without power.

2. Call your power company immediately to report the outage. Please call only once so other customers can get through.

3. Turn off all electrical equipment, including your water heater, electric furnace or heaters, stove, washer and dryer, stereo and TV, to help prevent overloading the system when power is restored. (Major appliances can be turned off at the breaker box). Do, however, turn on a porch light and one inside light so you and repair crews will know when service is restored.

4. Listen to the radio (battery-powered) for updates on major storm outages. You can also call your power company for information on when power will be restored.

5. If your neighbor's power comes back on but yours does not, call your power company again.

6. If your lights are very dim or very bright once power is restored, turn off the power at the breaker or fuse box and call your power company.