MidAmerican Energy calls for safety, continues storm restoration

MidAmerican Energy reminds customers to take additional safety precautions as work continues to restore service to thousands of customers impacted by this week's ice storm.

Today (Tuesday) MidAmerican Energy reported only one outage in Plymouth County.

The storm has caused significant damage including downed power lines and more than 200 utility poles, according to the energy company.

To assist customers' storm preparations, MidAmerican offers the following storm tips.

* If you see a downed line, assume it is an energized electric line and do not touch it. Touching an energized power line can cause serious injury. Call MidAmerican immediately at 800-799-4443. If you have an emergency, call 911.

* If your storm preparations include a standby generator, inform MidAmerican and make sure it is installed safely and properly. If it is not, you risk damaging your property and endangering yourself and MidAmerican line workers who may be working on power lines some distance from your home.

* If you lose power to your home during a storm, check your fuses or circuit breakers first, then call MidAmerican at 800-799-4443.

* Never assume someone else has reported a power outage. If you lose power during a storm, call MidAmerican. Your information helps the company's electric outage management system pinpoint the source of an outage and speed the restoration process.

* Keep fresh batteries in flashlights and lanterns for use during emergencies, and have extra batteries on hand.

* Never use a grill, space heater or portable generator intended for outdoor use inside your home. Similarly, never attempt to heat your home with a gas range. All can emit deadly carbon monoxide.

* Use caution and common sense in the placement of candles and oil lamps for light. Never keep candles burning when you go to bed. Keep them away from drapes and other materials that could catch fire. Avoid placing candles on low tables where pets or children could knock them off.

* Fill used liter-size plastic soda bottles with water and place them in the freezer now. During an extended outage, transfer them to your refrigerator to prevent food from spoiling. Open the refrigerator only when necessary, keeping warm air out and cooler air in. Food should remain usable for up to two days with minimal opening of refrigerator and freezer doors.

With the large accumulations of ice, MidAmerican also reminds customers of the importance of keeping electric and natural gas meters and pressure regulators free of snow and ice.

Accumulations of snow and ice on or against natural gas meters and pressure regulators may impact your natural gas supply and create an unsafe operating condition. A few precautions can help keep your gas supply operating safely and uninterrupted and provide accurate meter reading and billing.