Southwestern Electric Power Company provides safety advice as the state is threatened by bitterly cold temperatures

Little Rock, Arkansas – Southwestern Electric Power Company is advising customers to take appropriate precautions due to the likelihood for extremely severe winter weather on Thursday and Friday.

Early forecasts indicate that Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana will experience risky below-freezing temperatures, strong winds, and possible wintry precipitation.

These elements, according to SWEPCO, can strain the electric system and result in utility issues.

Customers are urged to take similar precautions by adhering to these guidelines so that SWEPCO emergency staff will be ready if there are power outages.

Plan ahead

• Develop a plan for you and your family. Decide now what you’ll do if there’s an extended power outage.
• If you or a family member relies on uninterrupted electric service for health reasons, make a plan now in case there are extended outages.
• Gather an emergency outage kit that includes a portable heater. Review and follow safety specifications before using.
• Make sure your contact information – including your cell number – is current with family, friends, and others.
• Learn more about making an emergency kit and get other preparedness tips at SWEPCO.com/Outages/StormPrep.

Stay connected

• Charge power banks ahead of time to help keep your cell phones charged.
• Report outages and check power restoration status at SWEPCO.com/Outages
• Download the SWEPCO mobile app for quick access to outage information: SWEPCO.com/App.
• Sign up to get SWEPCO alerts: SWEPCO.com/Alerts.
• Follow SWEPCO on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Be safe

• Treat all downed lines as dangerous — they can carry an electric current that can cause serious or even fatal injuries. If you see a fallen wire, stay away and keep others away, including children and pets. Call SWEPCO at 1-888-218-3919 or 911 immediately.
• Always use caution with any alternate sources of lighting, cooking, cooling, or heating. Never operate lanterns, heaters, generators, fuel-fired stoves, or burn charcoal without proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and fires.
• If you use a portable or RV generator, do not plug the generator into your home’s main electrical panel. This can “back-feed” electricity into outside utility lines, creating the danger of electrocution for repair crews and the public. Instead, read the manufacturer’s instructions, and only plug essential appliances directly into the generator.
• Be careful when driving or walking near all utility work zones.