Keep electrical equipment away from water.

Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) to help prevent electrical incidents like electrical shock, ground faults, fires, overheating, and the destruction of wire insulation.

Be cautious around power lines when climbing a tree or a ladder to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all.

Many DIY repairs are dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. Should any electrical issues arise, it is always best to have an expert handle it.

Avoid contact with any power line– always assume that a downed power line is energized and stay away.

Always inspect electrical cords and replace them if damaged or loose.

Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets. Remember, extension cords are for temporary use ONLY.

If outlets or switches feel warm and you’re having problems with blowing fuses, tripped circuits, or flickering lights – please call a professional to fix the problem.

For households with small children, place safety caps along all unused outlets.

Teach children not to touch electrical outlets or appliances (especially with wet hands), whether they’re on or off.

Educate children on the dangers of “green boxes” (substations and transformers) and teach them not to play on them.

Keep one light on to see when the power comes back on. Keep the remainder off.

Turn off all unnecessary appliances and make sure your electric kitchen range is off.

Turn on your porch lights so our linemen know when the power is back on in your neighborhood.

If an outage lasts more than an hour, turn off your electric water heater.

Avoid opening a freezer door. A full standing freezer will keep food temperatures preserved for up to two days.

If an outage happens during colder weather, close all windows and drapes to keep the heat inside your home.

If you see a downed power line outside, stay away and contact EnergyUnited at 1-800-EUNITED (1-800-386-4833) immediately.

Once the power comes back on, slowly turn on all appliances to avoid overload on your electrical system.

Our primary lines, which serve hundreds of members, are served first, followed by repair of the branch lines in less populated areas.

Medical facilities and individuals on life support are given the highest priority possible. Individuals who need medical assistance should seek shelter at their closest medical facility or call emergency services to be transferred.

Co-op crews around the state will assist EnergyUnited in restoring power in our service areas if outages and damages become too severe.

Find out more about How Power is Restored >>

Only a qualified professional should install a generator.

Only run generators outside and avoid enclosed areas. Exhaust from generators contains carbon monoxide. Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home as a precaution.

Never add fuel when a generator is on or hot.

Do not connect a generator to your home’s wiring. A generator that is directly connected can feed back to other power lines in your area and injure neighbors or linemen.

Do not overload the generator with appliances. Use only when necessary, and only power the essentials.

Do not operate your generator in wet conditions, and protect your generator from natural elements.

Once you permanently install your backup generator, contact EnergyUnited so we can notify our utility workers when they are working on an outage in your area.