During a Storm

• Listen to local radio stations for status reports from Cleco Power about affected areas and progress on restoration.
  
  
• Turn off your heating and air conditioning unit and unplug sensitive electronic appliances such as televisions and home computers, etc. This will protect your appliances from unpreventable voltage fluctuations that may occur as a result of a circuit overload when the power is restored.
  
  
• If you are using a generator, it should be operated in a well-ventilated area, away from combustible material and kept free of oil, mud and other foreign matter. Never run a generator in doors. Appliances should be plugged directly into portable generators with grounded extension cords that can handle the load. Don't plug a generator directly into a wall outlet. A generator can back feed electricity through your home's electric wiring to the entire Cleco circuit. This can cause injury or even death to a worker attempting to repair that circuit. Don't exceed the rated capacity of the generator and only refuel the generator when the engine is off and cool.
  
  
• Stay away from downed lines. Even if you think they may be phone or cable television lines, stay away from all downed lines. Assume all downed lines are live. Report downed lines immediately.
  
  
• If water is rising near your home or business, turn off electricity at the main breaker. Evacuate and do not return until waters have completely receded. Wait until the water recedes and have an electrician check the building before using electricity.
  
  
• If your power will be out for a longer period than your freezer will maintain cold, dry ice may be placed in your freezer. If you are using dry ice, don't touch it or breathe the fumes. Put heavy cardboard directly on the packages of frozen food and then put the dry ice on top of the cardboard. Twenty-five pounds should hold the temperature of a half-full 10 cubic foot freezer below freezing for two to three days. Food in a fully loaded freezer will stay frozen for three to four days if the dry ice is put in soon after the freezer goes off.