Tips To Stay Safe During Major Coastal Storm in Bernardsville, Bedminster

BERNARDSVILLE/BEDMINSTER, NJ — A Major Coastal Storm is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Central Jersey including in Somerset and Union counties.

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and local utility companies including PSE&G and JCP&L are all offering tips on how to stay safe during the storm, which is expected to extend into Tuesday.

"Gale-force winds can cause flying debris, and bring down trees and power lines. You should be cautious and stay alert to your surroundings before, during and after storms," PSE&G stated in a release.

Tips from PSE&G:

• Prepare your home for high winds, securing outdoor objects.
• Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything it might be in contact with. If a wire falls on or near your car, stay inside the car, call 911, and do not get out until PSE&G deenergizes the line. If you MUST get out of the vehicle because it is on fire, jump as far as possible away from the vehicle, with both feet landing on the ground at the same time, and hop or shuffle away.
• To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, do not run any gasoline powered engine, including generators and snowblowers, in a garage or any other enclosed space.

To report downed wires or power outages, call PSE&G's Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. You can also report power outages and view the status of an outage by logging in to My Account at pseg.com, PSE&G's mobile-friendly website.

Tips from JCP&L:

• Keep a flashlight, portable radio and fresh batteries handy.
• Have extra blankets or a sleeping bag for each person.
• Have bottled water on hand, especially if you have a water well and pump.
• Stock an emergency supply of convenience food that do not require cooking.
• Assemble a first-aid kit.
• Gather prescription medications and other personal health items.
• Keep a charged cell phone and a car charger handy in case of an emergency or to report your electricity is out.
• Tune to a local radio station for storm information and warnings that may be issued.

Tips for Potable Generators by NJOEM:

Portable generators can be very helpful during power outages. It is imperative that the public follow the below safety guidelines when using one:

• Never run a generator within a basement, garage or any enclosed or partially enclosed structure as this will lead to a dangerous and often fatal accumulation of carbon monoxide.
• Never position a generator too close to your home’s windows and doors.• Use battery operated carbon monoxide alarms.
• Test and change the batteries at regular intervals.
• Never connect a generator directly to your home’s wiring unless your home has been wired for generator use. This can cause backfeeding along power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including lineworkers making repairs. Have a licensed electrician install the equipment necessary to safely connect emergency generators to your home.
• Always plug appliances directly into generators. Connecting the generator to your home’s circuits or wiring must be done by a qualified, licensed electrician who will install a transfer switch to prevent backfeeding.
• Use heavy duty, outdoor rated extension cords. Make sure extension cords are free of cuts or tears and the plug has three prongs. Overloaded cords can cause fires or equipment damage.• Ensure your generator is properly grounded.
• Never overload a generator. A portable generator should only be used when necessary to power essential equipment or appliances.
• Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting it down.
• Keep the generator dry. Operate it on a dry surface under an open structure.
• Always have a fully charged fire extinguisher nearby.
• Never fuel a generator while it is operating.
• Read and adhere to the manufacturer's instructions for safe operation. Never cut corners when it comes to safety.

For more information visit https://www.ready.gov/power-outages

(Image via New Jersey Office of Emergency Management)

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