Severe weather affects the lives of thousands of people each year, especially in the southern part of the United States. People who understand severe weather -- and know what to do before and after severe weather hits --can significantly reduce injuries and property damage. Wiregrass Electric Cooperative wants you to be knowledgeable about severe weather -- and to provide you with steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. We have provided information here on severe weather and safety. Remember, the time to plan is not when severe weather hits -- you must be prepared long before the storm is ever forecast.

Hurricane Preparedness

History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. Click here for WEC's Hurricane Tracking Chart and valuable safety information (pdf).

Visit the Hurricane Preparedness Web site to find how to protect yourself from flooding and wind during a severe storm. Hurricane Preparedness Week Information

NOAA predicts near normal or above normal hurricane activity for the 2009 season. Find out more information at: National Hurricane Center

In the event of any emergency, it is important to have a family disaster plan. Click here for a check list for your family's preparations: Have a Family Disaster Plan

Portable electric generators offer great benefits when outages affect your home; however, generators also must be connected and operated properly or they can be hazardous to the public and the line crews working to restore power. Get information on Generator Safety here.

Additional Weather Links:

Tips for the Home

Here are some tips to use around the home to help prevent electrical accidents. 

• Throw away frayed and damaged cords and extension cords.
• Extension cords should only be used temporarily.
• Turn appliances off before unplugging them and pull the plug, not the cord, when unplugging.
• Don’t touch appliances or switches with wet hands.
• Cover electrical outlets to stop children from poking things into them.
• Keep appliances out of the reach of children.
• Make sure outdoor appliances cannot come into contact with pools or puddles of water.
• Always look up before moving ladders and other tall items around your yard or home. A ladder or antenna in contact with a power line can cause a serious accident.
• Never tamper with your electric meter, as it is illegal and you could risk shock, explosion or fire.
• Never use water to douse an electrical fire, use the appropriate type of fire extinguisher. Never tamper with your electric meter, as it is illegal and you could risk shock, explosion, or fire.

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