During the winter season, it's essential to prepare for the challenges that cold weather can bring. From icy roads to power outages, being proactive can help ensure your safety and comfort.
In the latest segment of SWEPCO's "Ways to Save" video series, Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) focuses on essential tips to help residents stay safe and prepared during the winter months.
Each Tuesday, viewers can watch KTBS or KTBS.com/WaystoSave to learn proven tips, incentives, and programs to help them reduce energy consumption and save money. Recently, Safety & Health employees Zebb Rogers and John McCorkle offer insight into how SWEPCO prepares for cold weather and tips for customers to do the same.
"We have a winter preparedness plan that we go through to make sure our units are ready to provide reliable power to everybody,” Rogers said. “We have a robust checklist that we go through to make sure we keep that power flowing to everybody on those cold days.”
Just as SWEPCO implements a series of proactive pre-winter preparedness actions to enhance and winterize its electric infrastructure and ensure reliability, it encourages customers to take time to do the same.
"Getting weather-ready is essential," McCorkle said.
He encourages customers to have an emergency kit on hand and develop a plan now where to go if there is a power outage, particularly if they or a family member relies on uninterrupted electric service for health reasons.
In addition, when using alternate sources of lighting, cooking, or heating, McCorkle stresses the importance of proper ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
"Always exercise caution with any alternate source," he said.
Outside the home, ice accumulation on tree branches is a significant concern during winter storms.
"Ice can increase the weight of a branch by up to 30 times," Rogers said. "Just half an inch of ice can add up to 500 pounds of weight to a span of power lines between poles—that's equivalent to the weight of a grizzly bear!"
To prevent issues, McCorkle advises homeowners to insulate their homes, install storm windows, and bring pets indoors. Outside, be vigilant about tree hazards, especially when there’s ice accumulation, as the extra weight could pose safety risks as limbs give way to the added weight. In addition to staying aware of your surroundings, homeowners (responsible for service lines expending from poles to their homes), should coordinate with professionals to ensure safe support of any necessary trimming on their property. Learn more at swepco.com/outages/problem/tree. For more information on winter storm preparedness, visit SWEPCO.com/stormprep.