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September 1, 2018

September 2018 Energy Tip

 

Happy September to you all. NRG couldn’t be prouder to be associated with and support MANNA. The work MANNA does to provide healthy, medically appropriate meals to those who need them and may otherwise go without, is lifesaving. It fills a void. MANNA was the first recipient of the NRG Gives $100,000 grant back in 2016. NRG Gives is an employee-driven program designed to help local nonprofits that reflect the values and programs important to our employees. Ultimately the public votes on who should receive the grant, but employees nominate and select all the finalists. So thank you to MANNA and all its donors and volunteers for the amazing work you do.

Each month, as part of NRG’s communications sponsorship, NRG will be providing simple energy related tips that may potentially reduce your energy usage, but may also help reduce your carbon footprint and potentially limit the stress on our grid.

With September being National Preparedness Month, we thought it best to start with some simple ways to ensure you are ready for an emergency, particularly power outages caused by storms. The tips below come from our friends and colleagues at Goal Zero, an NRG company.

BEFORE THE STORM

  • Identify a safe area to take refuge and secure any outdoor items that could become airborne during the storm.
  • Develop and practice your family communication plan. Identify an out-of-state contact that everyone can call if the family gets separated and designate a familiar emergency meeting location.
  • Review your insurance coverage and take pictures of your home, building and/or office – inside and out.
  • Gather necessary supplies: water, First Aid Kit, flashlights, tarps, plastic bags, tape, sandbags, shutters, plywood, hand tools, generator, brooms, mops, towels and batteries.
  • Fully charge cell phones, laptops, portable power stations and any other electronics, and top off your vehicle’s gas tank.
  • Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes, such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.

DURING THE STORM

  • Stay indoors during the storm and away from windows and glass doors.
  • Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level.
  • Bring along books, tablets, or toys to keep children occupied – don’t forget to bring backup power and lights along to keep devices charged up.
  • Keep curtains and blinds closed in case windows shatter from high winds or debris. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm – winds will pick up again.

AFTER THE STORM

  • If separated from your family, use your family communications plan or contact FEMA or the American Red Cross.
  • Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to your local utility company.
  • Walk around the outside of your home and check for any structural damage. Take pictures of any damage. If you have any doubts about safety, have your home inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.
  • Stay out of any building if you smell gas, if floodwaters remain around the building, or if your home was damaged by fire and the authorities have not declared it safe.
  • Never use a gasoline generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds or similar areas, even when using fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and linger for hours, even after the generator is turned off. Consider using a gasoline-free portable power station to supply backup power to your home instead.
  • If you are unable to return home and have immediate housing needs, text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area (example: shelter 77005).