Safety First

MLGW crews have restored power to nearly 60,000 customers since Tuesday’s storms. As of now, approximately 4,400 customers remain without power.

Safety tips:

MLGW is reinforcing the need for safety around downed power lines and other potential hazards as Memphis and Shelby County residents begin debris removal from businesses and homes.

MLGW urges customers to be aware of their surroundings as they sift through debris. Customers should avoid contact with downed power lines—even if their home or area has experienced a loss of power the lines could still be energized. Also, if they are not careful, it is possible for the body to become a conduit for an electrical current, which could result in serious injury as well as death.

Customers are also asked to avoid the immediate area where MLGW crews are working. These work sites can be extremely hazardous.

As MLGW crews work to restore power, here are some tips for using portable generators:

• Never use a generator indoors or in an enclosed area such as a garage. Generators emit toxic carbon monoxide from the engine exhaust.

• A generator should only be operated in a well-ventilated and dry area, away from air intakes to the home. It should be protected from direct exposure to rain and snow, preferably under a canopy, open shed or carport.

• Do not attempt to restore power to your entire house by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. The electricity produced by a generator cannot only ruin your home’s wiring and start a fire, it can also feed back into the utility system and energize a line thought to be without power possibly killing utility workers trying to restore power. It can also cause damage to the generator when electric service is restored.

• Handle fuel carefully. Turn the generator off prior to refueling. Gasoline, kerosene and other flammable liquids should be stored outside of living areas in properly labeled safety containers.

• Turn off or disconnect all appliances prior to operating a portable generator. Once the generator is running, appliances powered by the generator can be turned on one at a time.

Important MLGW numbers for customers:
• Outage Reporting 544-6500
• Emergency 528-4465
• Customer Care Center 544-MLGW (6549)

For more information, you can download MLGW’s storm preparedness brochure.