APS Offers 5 Summer Storm Safety Tips

July 1, 2008

Phoenix, AZ  -   This year marks the first time Arizona's monsoon season officially began on a fixed date - June 15 - as opposed to the historical method of three consecutive days of at least 55-degree dew point level. As such, the monsoon season also has a firm end date: Sept. 30.

No matter the official start date, it's never too early to be prepared for the winds, lightning, and rain. Mother Nature operates on her own schedule, and the resulting power outages simply are a fact of life. To help you prepare for a potential power interruption - and to stay safe in the event of one - APS offers five tips to help you get through storm season:

1.   Be prepared. Have the following items handy: battery-operated radio, flashlights, an ample supply of batteries and at least one telephone that is not cordless. The entire family should know where the flashlights are kept before an outage occurs. Do not use candles as a source of light. In the event of a prolonged outage, the media will keep customers informed.

2.   Look around. If an outage occurs, first check your neighborhood. If yours is the only home without power, check to see if a main fuse is blown, or a main circuit breaker tripped. Take extra precaution in the event the home's equipment has been damaged. If the outage is beyond your home, call APS.

3.   Stay away from downed power lines. In fact, stay away from all downed lines. Even if you believe it's a cable or telephone line, the dangers of electricity are simply too great to take that chance. Assume any line is an energized line. In the case of a downed line, immediately call 911, then APS.

4.   Turn off or disconnect all major appliances and sensitive equipment. However, do not turn off your refrigerator or freezer. Chances are you may forget to turn them back on once power is restored. Even with the power off, food will stay frozen 12 to 24 hours - as long as the refrigerator and freezer doors are kept closed. Do keep at least one light on, so you know when power is restored.

5.    If a power line contacts your car while you're in it, stay in the vehicle. Try to attract help by blowing the horn and remain calmly in the vehicle until help arrives. Keep others away. If you must leave, jump and land with both feet together, being careful not to touch the vehicle and ground at the same time. Once on the ground, either hop with both feet or shuffle to move at least 50 feet away from the vehicle.

APS, Arizona's largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves about 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state's 15 counties. In 2008, APS won its second Edison Award in recognition of innovative leadership and operational excellence in the electric industry.  Given annually by the Edison Electric Institute, the Edison Award is considered the industry's most prestigious honor. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW)

Damon Gross
(602) 250-2269