Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2001
 

WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT, HOMEOWNERS ARE NOT POWERLESS WHEN IT COMES TO HOME SAFETY

WILKESBORO, N.C. - - Between severe winter storms and utility company deregulation, millions of people across the United States this year already have lost power or are at risk of losing power. With six to eight weeks of winter still ahead, Lowe's Home Safety Council is reminding homeowners how to maintain a safe home even when the power goes out.

"When power outages occur, many people scramble for ways to maintain a comfortable home, often making unsafe choices," said David Oliver, executive director of Lowe's Home Safety Council. "A home without power can still be a safe home if people take the proper precautions ahead of time."

Lowe's Home Safety Council offers the following tips to homeowners to take action before and during a power outage:

• Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are functional and have battery backup
• Stock up on batteries, flashlights, portable radios, canned foods, manual can openers, bottled water and blankets.
• Use flashlights instead of candles to avoid a possible fire hazard.
• If outside temperatures are below freezing for an extended period of time and your home has no heat, run water at a trickle to help prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. If your water pipes are not insulated, wrap exposed pipes with foam or fiberglass insulation. You can also temporarily insulate pipes with layers of newspapers or rags wrapped in plastic.
• In severe winter storms, store perishable food outside in the snow or in an unheated outside building.

In 1993, Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse founded Lowe's Home Safety Council with the vision of creating safer American homes. Since then, Lowe's Home Safety Council has invested more than $20 million to educate children, adults, seniors and families on how to improve the safety and security in their homes. For additional home safety information and free brochures, consumers can call 1-800-SAFE-HOME or visit loweshomesafety.org.

-###-

© 2004 Home Safety Council
All Rights Reserved