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Duquesne Light Company Joins FEMA in Encouraging Customers to #PrepareNow

NEWS RELEASE

Date                     September 5, 2018
For Release         Upon Receipt                                                                           
Contact                Niki Campbell                                               
Telephone           412.430.3404                                                   

 

Duquesne Light Company Joins FEMA in Encouraging Customers to #PrepareNow
September is National Preparedness Month

 

PITTSBURGH – As late summer storms and other severe weather unfolds across the country, Duquesne Light Company (DLC) joins the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in encouraging customers to develop a home emergency plan during National Preparedness Month in case of prolonged power outages caused by severe weather occurrences.

National Preparedness Month, as recognized by FEMA, is a nationwide campaign that creates awareness about emergency, severe weather and disaster readiness. The theme of this year’s campaign is, “Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.”

“As a company, we are continuously preparing and training for the impacts of severe weather,” said Alex Burns, Director of Safety and Operations Services. “It is important that our customers create preparedness plans for their homes and families because severe weather can come when it is least expected.”

Duquesne Light encourages customers to add the following outage preparedness tips to their home emergency plans:

Before a Power Outage

  • Place flashlights, a battery-powered radio and fresh batteries in an easily accessible location.
  • Keep a three-day supply of non-perishable food, bottled water (one gallon per day per person) and medication on hand for each person in the household.
  • Always have a first-aid kit with current supplies in a convenient location.
  • Use surge protectors to protect sensitive electronic equipment.
  • In the winter, have an alternate source of heating, along with fuel, available at all times.

During a Power Outage

  • Report outages or potentially dangerous situations to Duquesne Light by calling 1-888-393-7000
  • Do not touch downed or hanging power lines or anything in contact with them.
  • Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer. Food can stay frozen in a fully loaded freezer for 36 to 48 hours if the door remains closed.
  • Disconnect or turn off appliances that were on when the outage occurred. Leave a light on so you will know when power is restored.

For more outage preparedness tips, visit DuquesneLight.com/outages/storm-plan. To learn more about National Preparedness month, visit Ready.gov/September or follow along on social media by searching the hashtag #PrepareNow.

About Duquesne Light Company

Duquesne Light Company is committed to more than keeping the lights on; it powers the moments in its customers’ lives. As a next generation energy company, Duquesne Light Company’s nearly 1,500 employees are dedicated to delivering reliable and safe energy to more than a half a million customers in southwestern Pennsylvania.

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