GreyStone prepared for winter weather

From traffic accidents on icy roads to hypothermia from prolonged exposure, winter storms can pose a serious threat to individuals. Winter storms are considered deceptive killers because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Even the homestead can be unsafe with 20 percent of deaths related to exposure to cold coming in the home.

GreyStone Power employees are prepared for winter weather, and they want to make sure members are prepared too. GreyStone always monitors weather conditions and will post updates for members on www.greystonepower.com if outages occur. A power outage phone number, 1-866-GREYSTONE (473-9786), has been created to handle up to 5,000 calls an hour to help members report outages quickly.

The Cooperative has also taken measures to reduce the impact a winter storm might have on the power lines. Through an aggressive year-round right of way program, GreyStone crews have been riding the lines and cutting down trees and over-hanging limbs that pose potential threats to power lines during storms.

GreyStone urges members to be cautious during and after the storm. During winter storms ice can form on trees, and sometimes electric lines can be torn down by ice-heavy tree limbs. Any dangling line or lines on the ground can be deadly, and all downed lines should be considered live. Call GreyStone’s office at 1-866-GREYSTONE (473-9786) to report a downed line, outage or any hazardous situation. GreyStone crews will be on the job 24 hours a day.

GreyStone urges co-op members to consider these safety tips during winter weather:

1.      When no heat is available, close off unneeded rooms, stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors and cover windows at night. If alternative heat sources, such as fireplaces and wood stoves are used, remember to use fire safeguards and properly ventilate.

2.      If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a generator to a home’s electrical system, and never operate the generator inside or in a garage or basement.

3.      If the storm leaves you in the dark, there are several steps you can take to stay safe and conserve energy. Use a flashlight for emergency lighting. Never use candles due to the risk of fire. Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer to keep food as fresh as possible. Also, turn off or disconnect any appliances or pieces of electronic equipment that were in use when the power went out. When power returns, it may come back in momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can damage equipment.

4.      The biggest key is to be prepared. Have a disaster supply kit with everything you need to live in your house without power for three days. The kit should include extra blankets, hats, gloves; a first aid kit; flashlights and extra batteries; one gallon of water per person per day; AM/FM radio and weather radio; canned food and a manual can opener.

Members may get information on outages and power restoration efforts at GreyStone’s Storm Center.