Safety

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LES wants to make sure you’re energy smart.

There is the chance that wind and storms can damage our power lines and equipment. If outages happen, our line crews work hard to restore service as quickly as possible.

It’s best to be prepared should your power go out. Here are tips that can help you be ready if an outage happens.

Before a storm

Become familiar with your service panel location and how to operate the main circuit breaker. Prepare a basic emergency kit and store it in an accessible place. The kit should contain:

  • Flashlight
  • Bottled water
  • Extra batteries
  • Wind-up clock
  • Manual can opener
  • Battery-operated radio or TV

Protect your household appliances and sensitive electronic devices from damaging power surges caused by wind and lightning storms.

If you have an uninterruptible power source — a device with an internal battery that provides continuous power to computers plugged into it — remember that the device provides backup power for only a short time, usually a few minutes. However, this is often enough time to ride out power glitches or short outages.

If stormy weather knocks down a power line

  • Call LES at 1-888-365-2412 or 911 immediately.
  • Assume the line is dangerous; stay away and warn others to do the same.
  • Do not remove fallen tree limbs or other debris from power lines. Tree limbs and other objects can conduct electricity that can shock anyone coming in contact with them.

How LES prepares

Our workers perform maintenance activities year-round to help prevent outages. Preventive tree trimming in particular has resulted in a huge reduction in tree-related outages.

As part of an ongoing program, we are increasing our effort to replace old underground cable, which will significantly lower the number of cable-related outages.

Visit our LES Video Vault to learn more about how we prepare and restore power during an outage.
LES Video Vault

Generators

  • Connecting a generator properly to your home or building is very critical. Doing it incorrectly is dangerous and can be deadly to you and the line worker who restores your power. The only safe – and legal – way to connect your generator is through a properly installed “double throw switch.” Contact an electrician to learn more.
  • You are required to notify LES of your generator installation so LES can approve the final wiring before you put the generator into service. Access the requirements, agreement and application. 
  • Read all operating instructions and manufacturer warnings before using the equipment. If the information is unclear, contact the manufacturer or dealer.
  • Connect only those appliances needed during an outage directly into the generator.
  • Your city or county building department must inspect any generator that is permanently installed.
  • Never use gas-powered generators indoors or in an enclosed area.
  • Never operate a generator while standing in water.