What CAREA does during an outage We realize power outages can be inconvenient, even downright uncomfortable.  The following will help you understand our power restoration process:

• Safety is our #1 priority. Crews first work to clear downed power lines and ensure that essential public services have power in case of other emergencies.
• Once the problem has been identified and any downed power lines are cleared, our crews work to restore power to the greatest number of members as quickly as possible.
• Power is then restored to any other individual members that may still be experiencing an outage.

Please note that if any storm damage occurs at the electric meter base or to conduit - or to circuits inside your home - you need to have an electrician fix the problem before company crews can restore power to your home.

What to do when a power outage occurs

Few things are more inconvenient than a power outage. You can rest assured that our professional staff at CAREA do their utmost to protect the reliability of your electric supply. However, there are some things that we are not able to control - severe weather, accidents and other unpredictable situations.

To better prepare you and your family in the case of a power outage or emergency, below are some tips on what to do during an outage, how we work to restore your power and the primary causes of power outages.

• Before calling CAREA, check your breakers or fuse box to determine if the cause of the outage is a blown fuse or tripped breaker.  Look for lights at your neighbors' homes to see if they are affected.
• If it's not a breaker or fuse box, call to report the outage at 1-888-211-4011. To help process your information more quickly, have your account number handy. CAREA works hard to keep outage information current, so a recorded message may inform you that your outage was already reported. Please call only once to report your outage. The company may request you call again later for outage updates.
• Turn off all electrical equipment to prevent overloading the circuits in your home - and the company's electrical system - when power is restored. Most major appliances can be turned off at your breaker box.
• If your lights are very dim or are unusually bright when the power returns, turn off the power at the breaker or fuse box and call again.   There may still be a problem.
• Prepare for outages ahead of time. Keep an emergency kit handy including the following:
• Flashlight
• Battery-operated radio
• Battery-operated clock
• Extra batteries
• Bottles of water
• Blanket
• Be sure and check in on any friends and neighbors who may need extra help.

Key causes of power outages

• Trees, limbs or branches knocked down by wind, snow or ice into power lines.
• Lightning striking a transformer or other electrical facilities.
• Car accidents where utility poles are knocked over or sway enough to knock the lines together and trip off the circuit.
• Equipment overload, especially on hot days when air conditioning usage is high, or during extremely cold weather when electric heaters are turned up throughout the electrical system.
• Digging too close to lines or cutting a line.
• Animals that contact the lines.
• Circuit overloads within your own home. Check your fuses and breakers first. If they continue to trip off, call a local electrician to handle the problem.

To report an outage or to get more information please call 1-888-211-4011.

Things to keep in mind in the event of a power outage

1. Communication: Communication is essential during power outages.  Cordless or extension phones that require electricity won't work during an outage so be sure to have a phone that works during an outage handy.  Keep your veterinarian's phone number handy for any problems with your livestock.  Keep your electrician's phone number handy for any problems with your emergency and standby units.
2. Lighting: This may seem too obvious to bother with but do you have a flashlight?  Do you know where it is?  Could you find it in the dark?  Do you have spare batteries for it or if it is a rechargeable one, is it charged?
3. Review your operation: Identify any must-run equipment and any non-essential load that can be reduced.  Please wait for 10 to 15 minutes after the power has been restored to turn everything back on.   This gives the electrical system time to stabilize.  This is particularly critical in the winter.  For information on stand-by generators, please call our office.
4. During the outage: During any outage, turn off any lights, all major appliances and if you have electric heat, lower the setting.  By reducing the amount of power we have to restore you are helping to avoid an overload outage caused by the initial burst of power required to restore service, particularly if the outage is extensive.  Leave one light on so you will know when the power has been restored.
5. Livestock protection during cold weather outages: Ventilation and heat retention are essential to protecting your livestock.  For operations with small numbers of livestock:
• Keep barn doors closed to retain the heat
• Open windows and doors slightly to allow for ventilation
• A warming area can be made with straw bales and a plastic tarp to keep out drafts for younger livestock
6. Minimize stress on your livestock: Ensure extra feed and water is available.  Remember that you cannot grind or mix feed or pump water when there is no power.  Each type of farm animal (eg. cow, sheep, chicken, etc.) has unique needs during a power outage.  Be prepared to minimize the stress on your animals.  Make sure your standby generator has adequate capacity to run your essential equipment.
7. Farm computers: Backup your computer files frequently.  Consider buying an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for critical computers and other equipment.  This provides temporary battery backup to allow you to save data and safely turn off the computer without losing any valuable data.
8. Moving equipment around power lines: No one shall construct, place buildings or other objects within the minimum clearances of overhead equipment or lines.
9. Property Access: The REA will require access to your property for emergency service work and meter reading.  If you plan to have access to your property restricted by a locked gate, we will need to put our lock on your chain as well.

When should I consider a Standby Generator

If it is essential for you to have uninterrupted power on your property due to livestock care, health issues or other vital reasons you may want to install your own generator with a bypass switch.

• If you use one, please do so with caution since generators can pose serious safety hazards when improperly used or installed.  Remember to always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Never plug your generator into an outlet, and don't connect a generator directly to your home's main fuse box or circuit panel.
• If you must provide temporary power to your home's wiring system, the generator must be connected through an approved transfer switch that will isolate your house from our system.  The switch must comply with the National Electric Code and local building codes.  These include permits, inspection and installation by a licensed electrician.
• To temporarily power an appliance, plug it directly into the generator.
• Use properly sized and grounded extension cords and keep cords hidden so they don't present a tripping hazard.
• Always properly ventilate a portable generator.  Gasoline-powered generators produce carbon monoxide and the fumes can be deadly.

Make sure that the total electric load on your generator won't exceed the generator's rating.

Electrical Emergencies! Electricity always tries to get to the ground.  If you get in the way, electricity could go through you to get there!  Contact with electricity can cause:

• Electrical Shock - This is when electrical current passes through the body. Even a small shock can be frightening and painful.
• Burns - Electric current can burn the skin, nerves, muscles, and tissues in the body.
• Death - A severe electrical shock can cause problems with a persons breathing and heartbeat, possibly leading to death.

What to do in an Electrical Emergency If you find yourself in or witnessing an electrical emergency, here is a list of some things to keep in mind.

• Downed Wire - Stay away from all downed wires, even if there are no sparks.  Do not touch anything or anyone that is touching one.  Get help right away!
• Downed Wire Touching a Vehicle - If you are inside the vehicle, wait inside until help arrives.  If you must get out, in the instance of the car being on fire, jump clear of the vehicle without touching the ground and the vehicle at the same time.  Shuffle, do not run away.  If you are a witness, stay clear and call for help.
• Electrical Fire - Get help right away.  Unplug the faulty appliance or turn off the power if possible.  Never throw water on an electrical fire!!
• Electrical Shock - Never touch a person who is being shocked.  Call for help immediately.

Safety near Powerlines

Maintaining safety standards helps ensure a safe and reliable distribution system.  Using proper safety procedures near power lines is absolutely necessary.  Electricity can be extremely dangerous.  Injuries and death near power lines are all too common and unnecessary when common sense is used.  Anytime you are working around power lines and/or poles please be aware of the safety factors, possible hazards and use good decision making skills.  Here are a few key points to take into consideration.

• When moving any long metal objects, please keep in mind where the power lines are.  One wrong move and you could be electrocuted.
• Stay clear on any downed power lines!  It is not possible to tell if a line is "live" simply by looking at it.  If you see a downed power line on your property, or even someone else's, do not touch anything and call our office immediately at 1-888-211-4011.

When moving equipment, loads, or working on buildings keep these safety tips in mind.

• Keep a safe working distance between your equipment and power lines. For example, keep your auger in the down position.
• Follow the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
• Before operating equipment, make a safety plan that prevents contact with the line.
• Take extra care and precaution even if it takes more time.  Your life is far more valuable than a few extra minutes or even hours.

If you are ever unsure of anything, please call our office at 1-888-211-4011 and we will be more than happy to assist you in any way possible. IT'S ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY.

What do I do when trees are touching my power lines?

Do not touch the tree in any way. Call our office immediately, and we will send someone out to determine if there is any urgent action that needs to be taken.

What kind of trees or shrubs should I plant when power lines are near?