BGE Warns Of Outage Risk, Asks Customers To Conserve Power

BALTIMORE, MD — Customers of Baltimore Gas and Electric are being asked to conserve electricity in an effort to reduce the odds of widespread power outages Monday afternoon and evening after a power plant experienced an unplanned disconnection from the BGE electric system.

The utility sent an alert to its users and media outlets warning of the problem. As of 6:15 p.m., 229 BGE customers are without power, according to the tracking site PowerOutage.US.

Customers should prepare for a power outage, BGE said. “If an outage is necessary we will make every effort to alert customers in advance.”

An emergency cycling event has also been activated to respond to system operations needs. BGE said customers enrolled in the PeakRewards Air Conditioning program will see their air conditioner cycled up to the full cycling level (50%, 75%, or 100%) for the duration of the event.

Anyone with a medical or health condition should call the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325).

Preparing For A Power Outage

If you lose power, use flashlights. Do not use candles or kerosene lamps; they can create a safety hazard.

BGE suggests families develop an emergency plan that includes alternative arrangements should you need to leave your home. Make provisions for family members with special needs such as the elderly, disabled, medically affected, or infants. If you are dependent on electric-powered medical equipment, seek alternate arrangements in the event of an outage.

Have these items ready:

• Flashlights 
• Fresh batteries 
• Battery-operated clock radio 
• Fully charged cell phone and laptop/tablet 
• Non-perishable foods and pet food  
• Water: one gallon of bottled water per person, per day without electric service. If your home is served by well water, fill a bathtub with water for sanitation purposes and to manually flush toilets. 
• Blankets 
• Refills of important prescriptions  
• Cash, in case ATMs aren’t working 
• A full tank of gas or fully charged electric vehicle 
• A first-aid kit in your home and in your car 
• A list of emergency phone numbers, including BGE’s outage line (1-877-778-2222) to report outages

Visit the FEMA Emergency Preparedness checklist for additional recommended items.

During a power outage, the state recommends:

• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary. Monitor temperatures with a thermometer.
• Maintain food supplies that do not require refrigeration.
• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators, camp stoves, or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows. Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home.
• Check on your neighbors. Older adults and young children are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
• Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment, or electronics. Power may return with momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can cause damage.
• Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.
• If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise. If a life depends on refrigerated drugs, consult a doctor or pharmacist and use medicine only until a new supply is available

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