After storms that caused significant damage in the area earlier this month and resulted in power outages in several towns, Mantua is offering advice on what to do before, during or after a power outage by answering frequently asked questions.
“What do I do if my power goes out?”
According to the state Office of Emergency Management, if you have medical equipment that requires electricity to operate, call 911 for assistance. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, never operate a generator or cook with charcoal indoors. To preserve heat, dress in multiple layers, close off unused rooms and never use your oven to stay warm.
“How can I keep myself and my family safe during an outage?”
According to the American Red Cross, stay at least 35 feet away from power lines and anything they are touching to avoid electric shock and call 911. If any refrigerated food gets to 40 degrees F or warmer, throw it out.
“What do I do if I see a downed wire?”
Downed power lines can be extremely dangerous. According to First Energy Corp., if you see one that has fallen, call 911 immediately. If a wire goes down near water – even a small puddle – stay away from it.
Anyone with unanswered questions about safety precautions or protocols can visit the Office of Emergency Management website at https://nj.gov/njoem/index.shtml or the Red Cross website at https://www.redcross.org.
