For Immediate Release
July 20, 2018
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BPRW Newsroom
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(BPRW) Preparing your business and home for this year’s storm season

-Richard Gibbs of FPL shares important information on storm preparation-

(Black PR Wire) MIAMI, FL -- Tropical weather in Florida is a way of life. The Sunshine State leads the nation in landfalling hurricanes with nearly 120. Properly preparing for hurricane season now can save you and your employees unwanted stress when a storm is imminent. The key is having a plan in place when that time comes. Here are some tips from Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) to help get you going as we head into the heart of storm season.

 Plan ahead:

  • Ensure your employees’ contact information is up to date.
  • Have a plan in place to communicate after the storm passes, e.g. set up a telephone number with a message featuring updates to inform employees of the status of company operations.
  • Establish a safe area away from exterior glass windows and doors if you plan to shelter at your business.
  • Identify what you need to secure your building, important equipment and who will help; outline specific tasks and conduct a training session.
  • Bookmark FPL.com/outage and save 1-800-4OUTAGE to your cell phone to report and check the status of your restoration.
  • Download FPL’s Mobile App in the App Store or Google Play, or text the word "App" to MyFPL (69375).

 

Generator safety

  • Read and follow all the manufacturer’s guidelines when using a generator to avoid dangerous shortcuts and ensure safe operation.
  • DO NOT directly connect your generator to your business’s breaker or fuse box. Power from a generator connected to a business’s wiring will "back feed" into utility lines – which can severely injure or kill a neighbor or utility crew working to restore power.
  • DO NOT run generators inside your business or garage.
  • Keep generators away from all open windows to prevent the fumes from entering your business.
  • Use a battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm to monitor possible dangerous gas levels.
  • Turn off all connected appliances before starting your generator.
  • Turn connected appliances on one at a time, never exceeding the generator’s rated wattage.
  • DO NOT touch a generator if you are wet, standing in water or on damp ground.
  • NEVER refuel a hot generator or one that is running – hot engine parts or exhaust can ignite gasoline.
  • Have plenty of gas safely stored in gas containers to operate your generator.

 

Before a storm:

  • Pay attention to instructions from public officials and the media.
  • Identify outdoor equipment, materials and structures that could become airborne and move them to a safe location.
  • Park vehicles in safe, protected areas such as a covered garage.
  • Charge your cell phone and keep it ready by obtaining portable chargers.
  • Make multiple back-ups of computer files and data and store records off premises.
  • Run a special voice message informing employees and customers on the status of company operations.
  • Close offices with sufficient time to allow employees to secure their own homes, and inform clients that you’re closing early and when you plan to reopen.

 

After a storm:

  • Make your safety and the safety of your employees a priority.
  • DO NOT travel, or ask employees to travel, until it is safe to do so.
  • Watch for downed power lines. Call 911 or FPL at 1-800-4OUTAGE to report fallen, dangerous power lines. Always assume that every power line is energized.
  • Take inventory to determine and record losses – based off of photos and recordings you took for insurance purposes.

 

Always keep safety top of mind and see more valuable storm tips at FPL.com/storm.

 

Richard Gibbs, senior communication specialist with Florida Power & Light Company, is a member of FPL’s storm media team.