PSE&G Prepares for Winter Storm - Provides Tips for Customers

NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) Company, New Jersey's largest electric and gas utility, is closely monitoring weather conditions and has its crews on standby now that the National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches and warnings for all counties in New Jersey, as well as the entire tri-state area. The snow is predicted to begin late Tuesday evening and continue until Wednesday evening. Heavy snow and wind are expected during the day on Wednesday. Accumulations of up to 12 inches are possible in some areas.

PSE&G will have extra personnel and supplies on hand to assure that electric and gas storm-related emergencies are handled safely and promptly.

Snow, by itself, does not pose a serious problem for utilities, but heavy snow or icing can increase the possibility of downed wires and associated power outages. Cars striking utility poles can also cause wires to come down. And cold weather can affect the number of calls we receive from customers with insufficient or no heat.  

PSE&G uses an automated system to handle customer calls as efficiently as possible. Customers who get an automated response when calling PSE&G should not hesitate to use it, as it is designed to route their calls to the right destinations. The system also provides the option to speak directly to a customer service representative. Customers are asked to use this option if they are calling to report damage to wires, transformers or poles.  This will help PSE&G to restore power more expeditiously.

Depending on the severity of a winter storm, response times for both electric and gas emergency services may be longer than usual.

In anticipation of possible storm conditions, PSE&G offers the following tips:

DOWNED POWER LINES

Accumulation of ice may weigh down power lines and as a result cause power lines to come down.  Downed wires may appear dead but should always be considered "live."  STAY AWAY FROM ALL DOWNED LINES.  Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with.  Parents are urged to check for downed wires in areas where their children might play and to remind the children to stay far away from any wires.  If a wire falls on a vehicle, passengers should stay in the vehicle until help arrives. To report a downed wire, call 1-800-436-PSEG and tell PSE&G the nearest cross street.

CUSTOMERS WITH LIFE-SUSTAINING EQUIPMENT

Individuals who rely on electricity to operate life-sustaining electronic equipment, such as a respirator or dialysis machine, should pre-register with PSE&G to receive priority attention in the event of an outage.  To request the service, call PSE&G at 1-800-436-PSEG.  They should also inform their rescue squads and fire departments of their needs, in case of emergency.  Even though customers with life-sustaining equipment who have registered with PSE&G will receive priority attention during outages, they should also have emergency back-up equipment on hand, since immediate restoration cannot be guaranteed.

IF YOU LOSE POWER

First check your neighborhood.  If you are the only one without power, check your fuse box for tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses.  If that's not the problem, look outside at the wire between your house and the utility pole.  If it is down, report it immediately to PSE&G.

If you lose power:

• Throw a blanket over appliances for added insulation.  
• KEEP REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER DOORS CLOSED.  Food will stay frozen between 36 and 48 hours in a fully loaded freezer (24 hours in a half-full freezer).
• Know how to open your garage door without the electric opener.  
• Remember, electric well and sump pumps will not operate.  
• Unplug all motor-driven appliances like refrigerators and freezers and sensitive electronic equipment (like TVs, microwaves and computers) to prevent a possible electrical overload when power is restored.  
• Leave one light switch on to indicate when power is restored.

HOW PSE&G RESTORES POWER TO CUSTOMERS

In the event of an outage, PSE&G's crews work around the clock to restore power to customers.  Their first concern is always health and safety.  After a heavy snowfall, customers should clear walkways so that our employees can safely restore service.

Crews work to restore power to the largest numbers of customers first, taking into account "priority" customers, such as hospitals, police stations, fire stations, water and sewer facilities, communications facilities (TV, radio, and telephone), and customers on life-sustaining medical equipment.  At the same time, the utility restores power to homes and businesses, starting with the circuits serving the largest number of customers.

IF YOU USE A PORTABLE ELECTRIC GENERATOR, CAREFULLY READ AND FOLLOW THE MANUAL THAT CAME WITH IT.  Be sure your generator is UL-approved, installed by a licensed electrician and inspected by your local electrical inspector.  There must be a way to physically disconnect your generator from utility lines.  Customers who improperly install, operate or maintain a generator are responsible for any injury or damage suffered by themselves, their neighbors or utility workers.

KEEP YOUR GAS METER AND APPLIANCE VENTS CLEAR OF SNOW AND ICE

You can help keep your natural gas supply flowing by keeping your meter free of snow and ice. If you are a natural gas customer whose gas meter is on the outside of your home or business, please take the following precautions:

• Clear snowdrifts away from the meter and piping.
• Do not pile snow on top of the gas meter or around its connecting piping when you are shoveling your premises.
• Brush snow from the meter and piping before a thick layer of ice builds up.

Clear snow from dryer vents to prevent fumes from backing up into your house.

CUSTOMERS WITH INSUFFICIENT OR NO HEAT

In many cases, customers are calling because of insufficient heat - their furnaces are working but are having difficulty handling the lower temperatures.  Although the company is sensitive to customers' heating inquiries, insufficient heat is not always caused by defective heating equipment. The colder it is outside, the harder the heating system must work to satisfy the same thermostat setting.  The heat loss in a home may exceed the output capacity of the heating system.  At times like this, the room temperature may not reach the thermostat setting, especially if the thermostat is raised to a higher than normal setting.  Customers can comfort themselves by doing the following:

• Seal up openings around and under doors and windows
• Make sure all storm windows are down and tightly closed
• Lower thermostats serving unused rooms
• Close dampers in unused fireplaces
• Move furniture and drapes away from heating registers, radiators, and baseboard element covers
• Open any register or baseboard dampers
• Warm air systems - replace dirty/clogged air filters  
• Steam systems - check for sufficient water levels in the sight glass

GENERAL TIPS:

Mother Nature can be unpredictable.  It's wise to have an emergency kit on hand year round.  Here are some things to include:

• A battery powered radio.  
• A corded telephone (cordless phones will not work if the power is out)
• Flashlights and extra fresh batteries.
• A first-aid kit.
• Bottled water and an adequate supply of non-perishable food.
• A non-electric can opener.
• Matches and candles with holders.
• Extra blankets and sleeping bags.
• A list of emergency phone numbers, including PSE&G's Customer Service line: 1-800-436-PSEG. Call this number to report power outages or downed wires.

Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey's oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state's population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne National Achievement Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG), a diversified energy company (www.pseg.com).

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SOURCE Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G)