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Con Edison Media Relations
For Immediate Release: February 12, 2009
3:00 p.m.

CON EDISON TO CUSTOMERS: AVOID DOWNED WIRES

NEW YORK – Winds whipping the region may lead to downed power lines and customers are urged to avoid any electric cables that topple from poles. Customers should assume any downed power line is carrying electricity and contact the company.

Con Edison also has additional crews working and available to repair any outages.

To report outages, customers may reach Con Edison either online at www.conEd.com,or at Con Edison’s toll-free customer service number, 1-800-75-CON ED (1-800-752-6633). When reporting an outage, customers should have their Con Edison account number available, if possible, and report whether their neighbors have also lost power.

They can also check on estimated service restoration times and outages in their communities at http://www.coned.com/sm/outageinfo.asp.

Customers should not assume the company is aware that they are without electrical service.

Con Edison offers these safety tips with regard to a windstorm:

If you see downed electrical wires, do not go near them. Treat all downed wires as if they are live. Never attempt to move or touch them with any object. Be mindful that downed wires can be hidden from view by tree limbs, leaves or water. Report all downed wires to Con Edison and your local police department immediately. If a power line falls on your car while you’re in it, stay inside the vehicle and wait for emergency personnel.

If your power goes out, turn off all lights and appliances to prevent overloaded circuits when power is restored. Leave at least one light switch in the on position to alert you when power has been restored.

Check your flashlights and any battery-operated radios or televisions to be sure they are working. Use candles and oil lamps with care. Also, make sure you have a supply of extra batteries. Weather updates and news on restorations of electrical service can be heard on most local radio and television stations.

Avoid opening your freezer to see if food is still frozen. Every time you open the door, room-temperature air enters and speeds the thawing process. Most fully loaded freezers will keep food frozen for approximately 36 to 48 hours; half-full freezers will keep food frozen for approximately 24 hours.

Since cordless phones rely on power charges to operate, customers should consider maintaining at least one corded, or landline, phone at all times.

In the event of severe outages, primary distribution feeders will be restored first, with the highest priority given to lines that supply the most customers out of service. Next, the crews will restore secondary facilities, such as transformers and secondary cables, again with highest priority given to lines supplying the most customers out of service. Individual services, lines serving a single home, will be restored as crews become available.

The company will maintain close contact with the New York City Office of Emergency Management and the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services to coordinate storm response as necessary.

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