Crime & Safety
Winter Storm Safety Tips for Basking Ridge Residents
As the weekend storm continues to blow into town, PSEG is warning residents to be wary of downed lines and practice winter weather safety.
We’re not out of the woods yet.
Basking Ridge residents are grappling with ice accumulation and freezing rain today, as Winter Storm Iola continues to affect the area. More snow could also fall this evening, with a 50 percent chance of snow tomorrow and Monday.
In light of this weekend’s snowstorm, PSE&G is offering safety tips and practices for staying safe in the storm. Read on to learn how you can prepare for a weather emergency.
Find out what's happening in Basking Ridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“In anticipation of the storm, PSE&G has additional personnel and equipment on hand,” a rep from PSE&G stated in an email to consumers. “We are also arranging for additional tree crews to assist PSE&G’s own skilled workforce, and ensuring that extra supplies, including poles and transformers, are available.”
The utility service also urged residents to be cautious when approaching downed power lines.
Find out what's happening in Basking Ridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Downed wires should always be considered ‘live,’” the agency reported. “Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might have touched.”
To report downed wires or power outages, call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. To report power outages online and view the status of an outage, log in to your account on pseg.com, PSE&G’s mobile-friendly website.
Safety Tips From PSE&G
• Charge your cell phones, tablets and other mobile devices.
• Fill up your car’s fuel tank.
• Check your supply of flashlights, blankets, nonperishable food and bottled water.
• If electricity is interrupted, keep refrigerator doors closed as much as possible.
• Compile a list of emergency phone numbers, including PSE&G’s Customer Service line: 1-800-436-PSEG. Call this number to report power outages or downed wires.
PSE&G offers a number of ways to stay in touch and informed before, during and after a storm. These tools can be found at pseg.com in the “Storm Center,” under “How you can stay connected.”
• PSE&G customers should sign up for the My Account feature online and bookmark the mobile-friendly homepage on your smart phone so it’s easy to report outages and check restoration progress.
• To report power outages via text message, and receive outage updates by text and email, sign up for MyAlerts.
• Updated every 15 minutes, PSE&G’s online “Outage Map” displays the location and status of power outages in PSE&G’s service territory.
• PSE&G’s Twitter and Facebook pages also keep the public informed about restoration progress. Sign up as a follower to monitor restoration process.
• Be sure everyone in the family is prepared. Click here to learn how to download the PSEG and Sesame Street “Let’s Get Ready!” emergency preparedness app, along with tips on how to be ready for any emergency.
Capture a great snow snapshot? Send your winter weather photos to Patch Editor, Emily Everson, at emily.everson@patch.com.
For updates, breaking news, and more from Basking Ridge Patch, sign up for the daily newsletter by clicking here.
More on Patch:
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.