With severe cold and possible snow and ice headed to our area, West Memphis Utilities is prepared and ready to respond in the event of power outages. As the winter weather moves in across the region, there is a potential for power outages.
Residents can help minimize their impact on the electric grid by following these tips to save energy during cold weather:
• Set your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower in the winter. Wear warm, comfortable clothing to help stay warm indoors instead of adjusting the thermostat.
• Keep doors and windows closed to minimize hot air from escaping the home.
• If you have a fireplace, use it to help heat your home instead of turning up the thermostat. When not in use, make sure your fireplace damper is closed to prevent heat from escaping up the chimney.
• Switch the setting on ceiling fans to run clockwise at a low speed. This gentle updraft helps push warm air near the ceiling down into your living space.
• Save energy in the kitchen. Give your oven and wallet a break by using the oven light to check on the food instead of opening the door. Use a slow cooker or microwave instead of the oven. Do not use the oven to heat your home.
The City of West Memphis’s Street Department and the Arkansas Department of Transportation crews are ready to clear roadways of ice and snow should it happen. Sand supplies are full in preparation for the winter weather, and crews have readied snow plows and brine trucks.
If a downed power line is near your home, do not try to move as it may be a live wire. Please take precautionary steps in case a power outage were to occur, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
To report power outages, West Memphis Utilities may be reached at (870) 735-3355 (option 2)
Original source can be found here.
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