NEW JERSEY — With the final days of summer bringing more outdoor activities and the risk of late-season storms, FirstEnergy is reminding residents to prepare for high winds, heavy rain and possible power outages.
The utility said taking simple steps ahead of severe weather can help keep families safe and reduce storm-related risks. Suggested preparations include signing up for outage alerts, knowing how to report an outage, and assembling an emergency kit with essentials such as flashlights, extra batteries, first-aid supplies, bottled water, convenience foods and fully charged devices.
“High winds can quickly turn everyday items into airborne hazards,” FirstEnergy officials said, urging residents to secure outdoor equipment such as trampolines, tents and lawn furniture. If items become tangled in power lines, residents should not attempt to retrieve them and instead call 888-LIGHTSS for assistance.
FirstEnergy also cautioned residents to stay clear of downed or low-hanging power lines following storms. Lines should always be treated as live and dangerous, officials said. Residents are advised to stay at least 30 feet away, avoid touching anything in contact with the line, and call 911 to report the hazard.
More storm safety tips and resources are available at firstenergycorp.com/safety.
