Politics & Government

What To Do If You Lose Power

PECO Gears Up To Respond To Irene's Wrath: Company Activates Entire Emergency Response Organization

As of 1:30 a.m. Sunday, multiple power outages affecting tens of thousands of PECO customers have been reported since Hurricane Irene's arrival to the Philadelphia region. Those numbers include 56,780 Bucks County residents without power.

Check PECO's outage map for the latest numbers. 

Customers without power should contact PECO at 1-800-841-4141. PECO said the more customers who call to report an outage, the more effectively it can dispatch crews and restore service. The company said its automated telephone system can quickly record an outage and allows their representatives to be available to handle reports of dangerous situations.

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PECO urges people to stay away from downed wires, damaged electric equipment, and tree limbs and branches contacting electrical equipment. The company also advises to always assume PECO's equipment is energized -- even if there is an outage in your neighborhood. Report these dangerous conditions to PECO immediately.

PECO also advised residents of the following tips:

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  • Turn off and unplug appliances and other devices to prevent possible damage.
  • Remember to keep one light on to know when service has been restored.
  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
  • Move meats, cheese, milk, etc. into the freezer to stay colder longer. A partially full freezer can keep food frozen for up to 24 hours, and up to 48 hours when full.

Customers with generators should never connect them directly to home wiring or plug them into household outlets. Generators connected to home wiring can 'backfeed' into PECO's electric delivery system, risking serious injury or death to PECO crews, the company advises.

Generators should always be placed outside to prevent carbon-monoxide poisoning.

Check here the latest up-to-the-minute Hurricane Irene updates.


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