Senior News: Preparing for Summer Storms

[Howard Hartman]

Summer Storms are coming!

 

PEPCO provides these pointers during summertime storm season.

(Click here to visit PEPCO website.) 

 

Plan Ahead

Customers who rely on power to run life-sustaining medical equipment should make advance arrangements to stay with friends or family, or go to a hotel or close-by city in the event of a widespread power outage.

 

Make sure you have a corded telephone to use.  Without power, cordless telephones won’t work and cell phones cannot be recharged. 

 

Assemble an emergency “storm kit.”  Include a battery-powered radio or television, flashlight, a first-aid kit, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, special needs items and a list of important and emergency phone numbers.

 

Keep at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food and bottled water and have a hand-operated can opener available.

 

If your loved one lives in a condo, retirement community or group home, be sure you can answer these questions:

• Is the facility licensed and properly staffed?
• What are the facility’s emergency plans?  Do they have adequate generators and emergency lighting?  Are these regularly tested? 
• Do they have well-posted evacuation routes and practice them with residents?
• Are they sufficiently stocked with non-perishable food and water for all residents? If not, be sure you loved one has their own supply.
• By what means can you communicate with management and your loved one in the event of a power outage?

Act Wisely During an Outage

To report an outage, call 1-877-PEPCO 62.  For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.

If you have a portable generator be sure to operate it outside only, away from doors and windows to avoid deadly carbon monoxide. 

Do you know the difference between a Hurricane Watch and a Hurricane Warning? 
For Summer Weather Terminology, click here.
For additional information on Weather Emergencies, click here to go to Homeland Security Website.

Also of Interest during Weather Emergencies

Signing up for Alert Montgomery allows you to receive emergency alerts and updates via your cell phone, pager, Blackberry, PDA and/or e-mail account. All you have to do is sign up for an Alert Montgomery account.  There is no cost for this registration.

Click here to register.

 

 

June topics:  Pro Bono Volunteer Program, Farmer’s Markets, Recreation Department

For show times, click HERE. 

Where to Watch:  Comcast and RCN channel 6; Verizon channel 30; or On-Demand at the County’s website by clicking HERE.