(KANSAS CITY, Kan.) — Power outages can occur for a variety of reasons including
snow, ice, high wind, falling branches, lightning, and even small animals. With winter
storms a regular occurrence this time of year, turning from a simple dusting to a major
snow event rather quickly – preparation and knowing what to do is key.
Should a power disruption occur, there are several steps BPU customers should follow
to identify the problem, report it if necessary, minimize the impact, and get power
restored as quickly as possible. These include:
- STEP 1
If your power goes out, check first to see if your neighbors have power. If
you’re the only home without electricity, check the main fuse in your electric
service panel or fuse box to see if the main circuit breaker has been tripped or
if a fuse has blown. If your neighbors do not have electricity either, then you
know there’s likely a power outage in your area. Go to BPU’s Outage Map at
outage.bpu.com or via mobile device to determine if your area is impacted,
the extent of the outage, repairs made, outages remaining, etc.
-
STEP 2
If you don’t see your area listed on BPU’s Outage Map, report your power
outage by calling BPU’s Trouble Call System at 913-573-9522. An automated
system will prompt you for information. Simply follow the instructions and
utility crews will immediately be notified of your outage.
-
STEP 3
Turn off major appliances such as your electric range and washer/dryer. Turn
off the majority of your light switches but leave a few on so you know when
the power has been restored. This reduces the electrical demand once the
power has been restored.
-
STEP 4
Unplug sensitive electronic equipment such as your TV, personal computer,
microwave, etc. This will reduce the chance of damage caused by electrical
surges.
-
STEP 5
Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed to conserve the cold inside.
You never know how long the power will be out, and you don’t want food to
spoil.
With 3,000 miles of electric transmission and distribution (T&D) lines, 27 substations,
13,600 transformers, 60,800 electric T&D poles, and 19,000 streetlights to service,
BPU’s electrical system is spread out over a 135 sq. mile area which includes both
urban and rural areas.
For more information on related topics, go to www.BPU.com. BPU also provides
helpful information on a variety of issues through videos on its YouTube channel.