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Preparing for the winter storm: FirstEnergy offers tips for customers

What should you be doing to get ready for the incoming winter storm? FirstEnergy is sharing a list of tips.

AKRON, Ohio — With the major winter storm expected later this week, FirstEnergy says their teams are already preparing for possible power outages.

“We have a team of in-house meteorologists who have been monitoring the incoming winter storm for several days,” Lauren Siburkis tells 3News in an e-mail. “At the first hint of severe weather, we activate a storm response plan, which often includes securing additional resources from our sister utilities and contractors so that we can deploy them to the hardest-hit areas, if necessary.”

Although the storm is still several days away, FirstEnergy has crews prepared.

“We realize the impact of a winter storm remains unclear until it hits the region, and our utility workers are ready to roll if it does cause outages,” Siburkis continues. “In addition to having around-the-clock, all-hands-on-deck coverage during severe weather, FirstEnergy’s utilities in Northeast Ohio have additional resources on standby to assist our line crews with any potential outages that might occur.”

RELATED: FORECAST | Tracking the winter storm

So what can you do to get ready for this incoming winter weather event? FirstEnergy offers these following tips:

  • Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed to preserve food for as long as possible in the event of a power outage. Consider purchasing bags of ice and placing them inside to help save perishable food.
  • Consider keeping an emergency kit handy with items such as a flashlight, first-aid kit, extra batteries, bottled water, cell phone and car charger and a battery-powered radio.
  • Turn off or unplug sensitive electrical devices to safeguard them from power surges that may occur during the restoration process. Leave an incandescent light on so you know when the power comes back.
  • Customers can subscribe to email and text message alert notifications to receive weather alerts in advance of major storms. They can also use two-way text messaging to report outages, request updates on restoration efforts, and make other inquiries about their electric accounts. More information about these communications tools is available online HERE.
  • Check out our real-time outage page for the most up-to-date information on your outage, including causes, estimated restoration times and crew status.
  • NEVER OPERATE A GENERATOR INSIDE YOUR HOME. Exhaust from backup generators contain a high level of carbon monoxide (CO) gas, which can be dangerous or even fatal if inhaled.
  • Do not use candles around pets or small children and never leave burning candles unattended.
  • In the event of a power outage, customers should report it to us by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) or clicking the “Report Outage” link on FirstEnergy's site. Customer reported outages help us pinpoint the damage locations, which can help speed restoration.

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