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Prepare for Snow
We can’t control the weather, however, we can take steps to prepare for severe weather.
- Get your shovel, snow blower, scrapers, & brushes ready.
- Create an emergency plan for your family and pets just in case.
- Prepare an Emergency Kit that includes non-perishable food, bottled water, medications, flashlights, a first aid kit, and an up-to-date fire extinguisher.
- Be in Charge. Power up your electronic devices, fuel up generators and vehicles, and have plenty of batteries on hand.
- Stay Informed. Keep a battery-powered weather radio — or another, non-electric powered source of weather and emergency information — readily available.
- Stay Inside. If you must go outside, perhaps to shovel, be sure to dress appropriately and practice safe shoveling.
- Avoid Utility Lines. Stay far away from downed wires of any kind and alert your electric company immediately.
- Use Generators Safely. Read the manufacturer’s instructions, always keep generators outside, and never connect a generator to your home’s electrical system.
- If you lose power, use battery-powered light sources instead of candles.
- Protect Yourself. If you must handle storm-related debris, wear gloves and other protective equipment. Wash your hands with soap and water afterward.
- Keep your natural gas meter clear of snow or debris. Use a broom, not a shovel, to clear snow away from the meter to avoid damaging the meter.
- Because natural gas lines are underground, they are less likely to be damaged during severe weather. However, if your gas lines or service is disrupted, follow these safety tips:
- Never attempt to turn your gas off or on by yourself.
- Knowing the location of your natural gas meter during an emergency will be helpful if an SJG technician needs to quickly access it.
- If you smell natural gas — which has been treated to smell like rotten eggs — move to a safe location, call 911 and
contact Elizabethtown Gas at 1.800.492.4009.