As families turn back their clocks with the end of daylight saving time on Sunday, Nov. 5, Puget Sound Energy is reminding the community to also evaluate your safety checklist in preparation to lose an hour of sunlight coupled with inclement weather.
“Ensuring our customers are safe and comfortable in their home is a priority year-round,” said Andy Wappler, vice president of customer operations and communications at Puget Sound Energy (PSE). “There are many low-cost ways to get your home and yourself ready for shorter days and weather changes.”
PSE recommends three ways to get prepared:
1. Check and replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide poisoning risks can increase dramatically this time of year. As the cold sets in, gas-fired furnaces, fireplaces and portable heating units are used for the first time in months. Various agencies recommend replacing smoke alarm units that are older than 10 years and carbon monoxide units older than five years. Read your manufacturer’s guide for specific recommendations.
2. Prepare a storm kit for your home and car. This can be a lifesaver in a power outage or if you get stranded in your car in bad weather. Make sure you have a long-lasting LED flashlight, a reflective vest for walking at night, non-perishable snacks, water and a warm blanket.
3. Update your outdoor lighting. A brightly lit home exterior can make all of the difference in the winter. Adding LED landscape lighting, path lights, and motion-detecting fixtures to your front yard makes your home more safe and secure. There are now a variety of energy-efficient outdoor LED bulbs available that last up to 15,000 hours, or about 13 years of nighttime service.
And, before winter storm season hits, download the free myPSE outage app to track and report power outages, check status and get estimated restoration times. Available for Android, Apple iOS and Windows devices.
PSE offers rebates, as well as low and no-cost tips, to help customers save energy all year-round.
For more information about other PSE programs and services for residential customers, visit pse.com/savenow.
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