With upcoming summer temperatures in excess of 100 degrees, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is sure to ask for extra measures of power conservation from its customers. Garland Power and Light offers the following tips for preparing for outages, which are a definite possibility with the summer heat.
Here are suggestions from GP&L’s website:
- Know how to report an outage. Call 972-205-3000 or text OUT to 972-205-4000. Learn more.
- Protect electronics from power surges with a surge protector or by unplugging them. Learn more.
- If uninterrupted power is essential to your home or business, think about having a battery backup or a generator.
- Register with the Garland Alert System, the city’s public notification system. After registering, you’ll receive emergency or severe weather notifications by phone message, email or text about the specific situation.
- Sign up for Garland Enewsletters to stay up to date on city news and alerts.
- In case of extended emergencies, such as electric outages, have an emergency plan and a “go kit” with necessary supplies for all household members.
Chronic condition/critical care customers:
- City of Garland water and electric residential customers who have chronic conditions or critical illnesses may submit documentation to notify the city of their dependence on these services.
- If you or someone in your home depends on electricity for medical equipment, have a backup plan in case of an outage.
- Have an alternate power source such as a generator or battery backup and know the amount of time your alternate sources can provide power.
- Have a backup plan to stay with a friend or relative if you lose power for an extended time.
- Speak with your doctor about staying at a medical facility if you lose power for an extended time.
Critical load customers:
- Certain non-residential customers may be eligible to apply for designation as a Critical Load Public Safety or Industrial customer. However, Critical Load designation does not guarantee continuous power supply. It is the customer’s responsibility to have alternative sources.