Power outage possibility: conditions could mean no power for essentials

Greater Shepparton residents need to prepare for power outages in an emergency due to extreme hot temperatures and the fire season.

Electricity distributor Powercor is encouraging customers to learn practical tips in case of an outage, and how to stay safe.

Powercor says some of these tips can help people know where reports of fallen powerlines are, obtain access to drinking water, and provide other emergency information.

Tips include:

● Download the VicEmergency app, sign up for Powercor SMS outage notifications, and keep emergency phone numbers handy;

● Recharge phones and laptops so you can stay connected with family and friends;

● Prepare a contingency plan if you rely on life support equipment or need electrical items to care for babies, people with disability, the elderly or pets;

● Have an emergency kit ready with cash for supplies, first-aid items, medications, torches, candles, matches, a portable radio and heavyduty gloves;

● Back-up computers and phones to keep data safe;

● Consider alternative power sources for water pumps and cooking sources;

● Make sure you know how to open your garage doors and gates manually; and

● In the event of an outage, take care and stay clear of fallen powerlines and report them to Powercor immediately on 13 24 12.

“There is so much information available about how to plan and prepare for a bushfire emergency that it’s easy to forget about what impacts a power outage can have too — like causing ATMs to go down,” Powercor’s network safety and bushfire mitigation manager Dene Ward said.

This story - “Power outage possibility: conditions could mean no power for essentials” - from The Shepparton News.