With the extremely cold or springtime windy weather, outages may occur as the result of many things, including fallen trees/limbs, animal interference, or an automobile accident. Trees are one of the most common causes of power outages. In addition to the tree itself falling, dead and damaged limbs can fall on power lines, damaging the lines and even causing utility poles to snap. 

In order to be prepared for a power outage, it's important to understand how some of your appliances work and what to do if you experience a power outage. 

Home breakers

When your power goes out, check your home's breakers before reporting the outage. 

Circuit breakers protect your home from power surges and electrical shorts. They trip open when they detect an issue, causing you to lose power in portions of your home. You can quickly and easily check the breakers inside your main fuse box to determine if you have a tripped breaker or an actual power outage. But before checking, follow these steps to ensure you’re doing it safely and correctly.

  • First, hold your hand near the box to check if there is heat coming off the panel. If there is, step back and call an electrician. If the panel feels normal, check the switches for any that are turned towards the “off” position — these are your tripped breakers.
  • Flip any tripped breakers all the way to the “off” position and then back to “on.” If the power is back on, make sure to close the breaker box properly.

How to report

The quickest and easiest way to report a power outage to Owen Electric is by using our free app, OEC Mobile. Prefer to call? Reach us at (800) 372-7612.

It's important to note how critical it is for us to have your current contact information on file. Our Member Services department and Outage Management System relies on your phone number to locate your outage and to contact you with important information regarding your account.

Protecting appliances

Lightning strikes or a downed power line can send a surge of electricity through your home and damage your electronics. To protect these and other appliances during a storm and/or power outage, unplug them or use a surge protector.

Surge protectors are designed absorb and take the damage in the event of a power surge to protect your electronics. In the event of an extended outage, it is safest to unplug them. 

Health equipment

When an outage occurs, our crews are working to restore power as quickly as they safely can, but with more than 65,000 members, it can take some time to have everyone restored. Even with a medical note on file with Owen Electric, we cannot promise uninterrupted power. If you or someone living in your home depends on life support medical equipment prescribed by a physician, please make us aware of the situation, and have a plan in place in case power is out for an extended period of time.

Generators

Generators can be a convenient way to access electricity during an outage, but they can also pose safety risks if not used properly.

  • Consider your needs when purchasing a generator. Battery power stations, or electric generators, offer many of the same features as gas generators without as many potential safety hazards — and no exhaust or noise.
  • Read the manufacturer’s safety and operating instructions before use. Follow the instructions for grounding carefully, and never plug the generator into a wall outlet.
  • Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, toxic gas present in generator exhaust. To prevent buildup and exposure to CO, never use a generator indoors or in enclosed spaces such as garages, crawl spaces, or basements. Ensure that outdoor placement allows proper ventilation to prevent buildup in occupied spaces.
  • Exposure to generator exhaust can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Install carbon monoxide alarms and check that they are functioning correctly before using your generator.
  • Never leave the generator running while you are away and check on it regularly while it’s running.
  • Plug appliances directly into the generator or use grounded, three-pronged extension cords with an amperage rating that meets your intended use.
  • Always allow the generator to cool down completely before you refuel, and never try to refuel while it is running.

Before installing a generator that connects to your home’s electric circuits, please contact Owen Electric at (800) 372-7612.