EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Please help protect yourself and your neighbors by following these few tips: 

• Remove your vehicles from the street. Plows can reach curb to curb if there is no obstructions. This includes sports equipment such as basketball nets.
• If you have a fire hydrant on your property, please shovel the snow away from the hydrant. It is recommended that you clear the snow at least three feet in all directions around the hydrant.
• To reduce flooding in the streets, clear all drains and sewer grates of any snow or debris such as leaves and sticks to create a natural flow of water when snow melts away.
• All sidewalks should be shoveled within 24 hours of snow fall ending.

For more winter weather tips see our winter newsletter of
The Link or check out our Public Works page.

We thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation!

Make your household a care package to have some necessities easily accessible to you! Here are some ideas to help you prepare:

1. Flash light and batteries and or some candles and matches.
2. Radio
3. Blankets and pocket hand-warmers
4. Canned food and dried foods (A manual can opener for cans if not pop top lids)
5. Bottled water

PECO offers Mobile reporting of power outages. If you should find your residence in a power outage and would like to check the status of a power outage click here for more information.  

More tips from PECO:

• What should be done if someone in the household relies on electric equipment for a medical condition?
• In an emergency situation, please call 911.  Also notify PECO at 1-800-841-4141.  Always have a back-up plan and relocate if necessary.
• What is the best way to protect food and medicine?
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible and resist the urge to frequently check on foods. Move meats, cheese, milk etc. into the freezer compartment since it will stay colder longer.
• If the freezer is partially full, it can often keep meat frozen for up to 24 hours and up to 48 hours when full. Fill the freezer and refrigerator with water bottles to occupy more space. You also can wrap the refrigerator/freezer in a blanket to keep it insulated and preserve foods longer.

• What are some tips or information on portable generators?

• Don't directly connect to home wiring.
• Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage. Make sure exhaust fumes can't directly enter your home. Generator should be in a dry area protected from rain and snow, such as in an open garage, carport or under a canopy.
• Don't overload the generator and utilize property power cords.
• Check the owners manual for property usage of the generator and Click here for more information!
• What should I do during heavy snowstorms?
• For PECO’s natural gas customers, you should be aware that snow or ice accumulation on a gas meter can cause the regulator to become blocked and shut down, causing a loss of gas service. After heavy snowstorms, especially with wind drifts, brush by hand the snow off your outdoor gas meter. Do not use a shovel or anything that could damage the meter.  If you have lost gas service, it may be due to snow covering the gas meter regulator.  Brush the snow away and your service can be restored.
  
  

Key Facts and Information on Swine Influenza/ (Swine Flu) from the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

For more information and updates on the Swine Flu click here.

In addition to the information posted by the Department of Health and Human Services, please keep in mind some key facts of staying healthy to protect yourself.

1)  Wash your hands.

a. Washing your hands often with soap and water is an effective way to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. If soap and water is not available utilize alcohol-based gels and wipes! Remember to wash your hands especially before touching your face or eating. 

2) Avoid touching your face. 

a. Your eyes, nose and mouth are prime areas for germs that cause cold and flu to enter your body. 

3) Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

a. If sharing a phone or desk, periodically or as necessary sterilize your area using antibacterial wipes or disinfectant spray. This might help reduce germs being spread. Remember something as simple as your phone is in close quarters (this includes cleaning disinfecting your cell phone from time to time).

3)      Practice good health habits.

a. Get plenty of sleep
b. Eat nutritious food
c. Drink plenty of water and other fluids
d. Manage your stress

4)      Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.

a. Wash your hands after. 

5)      If you're sick, stay home!

a. If you're running a fever, sneezing or coughing a lot, you'll help prevent the spread of your germs!