Plan to stay ahead of outages

At Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, we work hard to keep your lights on around the clock. It’s important to note some outages can’t be avoided.

We encourage all members to have a plan in place to stay safe in case of possible extended power outages.

Having a plan is especially critical for those who:
> May suffer from a medical condition where loss of electric utility service would be dangerous or life threatening.
> Those who depend on medical equipment that requires electricity to operate and termination of electric utility service would make operation of that equipment impossible or impractical.

If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity, talk to your doctor or health care provider about what you can do to keep it running during a power outage.

Due to the complex nature of power delivery, uninterrupted electric service cannot be guaranteed to any member. Unforeseen incidents such as powerful storms and equipment damage from animals can occur at any time. In the winter months, ice accumulation can be particularly problematic. During times of high demand for electricity, grid-related rolling outages are also possible.

Our goal is to limit the number of service interruptions and restore power quickly and safely when outages can’t be prevented. In any case, it’s best to form a plan to keep you and your loved ones safe.

During extended outages, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative will use various channels to keep you informed. Download SmartHub, our free mobile app, and follow these steps to sign up for power outage notifications:

Add and verify phone and e-mail contacts
In SmartHub, select Settings > Contact Methods

Customize the notices you receive
In SmartHub, select Settings > Manage Notifications

Forming your plan

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends the following tips to help you prepare for power outages (via ready.gov):

> Take inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity.
> Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.
> Plan for batteries and other alternatives to meet your needs when the power goes out.
> Sign up for local alerts and warning systems. Monitor weather reports.
> Operate generators according to manufacturer’s instructions, never operate inside or in partially enclosed spaces. Allow to cool before refueling.
> Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup centralized on every level of your home.
> Determine whether your primary phone will work and how long battery backup will last.
> Review supplies that are available in case of outages. Have flashlights with extra batteries for every household member. Have enough nonperishable food and water.
> Use a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so you know the temperature when power is restored.
> Keep mobile phones and other electric equipment charged and gas tanks full.