With much colder weather and possible winter storms in the forecast this weekend, OG&E is offering customers tips to stay safe and warm.
“When extreme cold and winter weather hit, we want our customers to have a safety plan in place,” said OG&E Manager of Corporate Communications Aaron Cooper. “Ahead of the colder temperatures, customers can take a few steps like preparing their homes, making a plan for themselves and loved ones, and staying weather aware to ensure they keep safe and warm.”
OG&E WINTER WEATHER SAFETY TIPS
- Stay weather aware. Watch local news or monitor weather apps. Make sure you’re signed up for myOGEalerts. Check road conditions before traveling.
- Make plans for you and your loved ones. Have a safety plan and build a support network for elderly or homebound loved ones or neighbors. Know your options if you or a loved one have a life-threatening condition and need electricity to power a medical device. Include pets and their needs in your plan.
- Weatherize your home to combat the cold. For example, customers can:
- Clean or replace filters on furnaces.
- Clean warm-air registers and baseboard heaters. Make sure they’re not blocked by furniture, carpeting or drapes.
- Caulk expansion joints and minor wall cracks.
- Check windows and doors for air leaks and apply putty, caulk or weather stripping as needed.
- Insulate water heaters that are in an unconditioned space.
- Check your emergency kits. Ensure your kits have everything you need; keep one in your home and one in your car.
- Fully charge your devices. Charge your cell phone ahead of winter weather.
- Dress for the weather. If you need to be outside in extreme cold, wear layers, waterproof insulated boots, mittens or gloves, and a hat. At least half of a body’s heat is lost if the head is not covered. Never wear wet clothing, as this results in much faster heat loss.
If you do find yourself without power during a winter storm, these tips will help to conserve energy, minimize heat loss and stay safe:
- Open your curtains and blinds during the day. This allows the sun to naturally warm the space.
- Cover windows at night to minimize heat loss.
- Place heaters on a hard, non-combustible surface.
- If the indoor temperature drops to 55°F, open faucets slightly so they drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
- Never use a gas range or charcoal for indoor heating.
Source: OGE press release