Plan ahead for weather emergencies;
1. Have a storm safety kit handy. Keep a storm safety kit handy at home in case someone gets injured.
2. Stay inside during thunderstorms and blizzards. Lightning and wind can damage power lines, making them very dangerous. It's also important to stay off the phone and computer during a storm too.
3. Use flashlights instead of candles. Using candles during a storm is a big fire hazard. Keep a flashlight and use it instead to avoid causing a fire.
4. Don’t open the refrigerator or freezer unless you absolutely need to. Keeping the door closed as much as possible will make the food last longer.
5. If your power goes out, have a grown-up notify the power company right away. The more calls or notifications they get, the faster they can find and fix the problem.
7. Unplug as many appliances as possible. This will help prevent damage when the power comes back on.
8. Don’t play near portable generators. This equipment is very dangerous, so stay far away.
9. Stay away from damaged or downed power lines. Even utility workers can't tell if a power line is energized just by looking at it. It can cause electrocution if the power is still live.
10. Watch out for power lines when they're cleaning up outside. If power lines are running through damaged trees, call Tonga Power for help.
