LCEC – Lee County Electric Cooperative

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How does LCEC prepare for storm season?

August 29, 2019 – Long before storm season, utilities develop response plans and options to mitigate damage and recover from destruction as quickly as possible. Experience from past storms helps in the planning process and the ability to incorporate lessons learned ensures rapid recovery. Southwest Florida has had their fair share of storms and LCEC restoration plans have been refined over the years.

Investment in systems and programs yearlong is aimed at reducing vulnerabilities. LCEC continually hardens the electric system by proactively inspecting, identifying potential problem areas and aging infrastructure, and repairing or replacing before the storm rolls in. Routine vegetation management helps to keep lines clear of trees and brush that could cause power outages.

No crisis can be managed without skill, knowledge, resources, and patience. Every employee and LCEC vendor is on deck when the threat of a storm rears its ugly head. The restoration plan is practiced long before the first tracking model is published and many potential scenarios are considered. No storm is the same and there is no way to know what each situation will bring. However, a plan for additional resources, places to feed and house them, extra fuel, additional inventory and equipment, communications, fleet maintenance, and many other details are all proactively considered so that boots can be on the ground as quick as possible to restore critical infrastructure and help the community get back to normal.

How can you help in the restoration process?
Developing a plan for your family or business is critical. Remaining safe and comfortable without power is not a thrill but it is possible. Practice your plan and implement it when needed. Be patient and trust that utilities and their people are working as hard as possible to restore service quickly. Use the information in this guide to make your life easier while they work.

Immediately after a major storm, there is no need to report an outage. Utilities will assess the damage and know where repairs are needed. After a few days, if you are the only one in your location without service, that is the time to contact your provider.

Work together as a community while utilities focus on restoration. If you have power, offer assistance to others without. Offer encouragement and support to all emergency responders. As frustrated as you may be, remember they are away from their families and working under challenging conditions to help you get on with your lives.

Protect your children from electrical hazards

August 27, 2019 – Once you become a parent, there are millions of things to worry about. Electrical hazards in your home doesn’t have to be one of them. There are oodles of gadgets designed to help baby-proof your home. Along with those security gizmos, it is important to keep the following in mind to keep your tiny tots safe:

Extension Cords:
Avoid using power strips in your child’s room. Not only can a child grab the cord (and pull down whatever it is attached to), there is always a chance your child might chew on the cord.

Outlet Caps/Covers:
Invest in outlet caps/covers. These caps are super inexpensive and come in bulk. These plastic caps plug directly into power outlets and are nearly impossible for little fingers to grip onto. Keeping tiny tots from sticking fingers or anything else into power outlets is more than a suggestion, it is must-do!

Nightlights:
Use nightlights to keep your toddling youngsters safe in the dark. There are even outlet-mounted nightlights that fit over a duplex receptacle, blocking unused electrical holes from curious tots.

Replace or Repair:
If your appliances are not working properly or feel hot/tingly to the touch, contact a licensed electrician immediately. This professional can detect problems and fix them immediately.

In addition to the above mentioned tips which help to protect your tots from electrical hazards, it is important to invest in locks for toilet bowls, stoves, refrigerators, and drawers, and straps to secure televisions and furniture. You can find something to baby-proof just about anything and everything in your home…and it is definitely worthwhile to do so!

Outage map available at lcec.net

August 20, 2019 – As diligently as LCEC works to keep the lights on for customers, power outages occasionally happen. Power outages can happen for a variety of causes including storms, animals, vehicle accidents, fallen trees and even sailboats coming into contact with power lines. Through our automated outage system that tracks customer calls, field crews are dispatched ASAP to impacted areas. Restoration begins with repairs that restore service to the largest number of customers in the least amount of time. In the event of an outage, customers can view the LCEC Outage Map at lcec.net to stay informed as restoration takes place. We thank our customers for their patience and understanding during power outages. Customers can rest assured knowing that LCEC works around the clock to deliver the power that energizes our community!

Stay away from the big green box

August 13, 2019 – They are big, green, and sit in residential neighborhoods. These big green boxes are called pad-mounted transformers and caution must be used around them.

What are pad-mounted transformers?
Pad-mounted transformers work in the same capacity as the transformers (gray cans) on the top of electric poles do. In essence, they convert higher-voltage electricity to a lower voltage so that it is safe and useful for your home. The only difference is that pad-mounted transformers work with underground power lines while transformers on the pole work directly with the overhead electric lines.

How can I stay safe around pad-mounted transformers?
Pad-mounted transformers are locked and marked as dangerous. These big green boxes should never be used as benches, nor should kids play on or near them. Landscaping should not be planted around these boxes as power linemen may need to access them safely and easily, and any roots could interfere with underground wires. Never, ever dig anywhere near a pad-mounted transformer. It is just as important for people to be safe around underground power lines and pad-mounted transformers as it is to be safe around overhead power lines.

For more ways to stay safe around electricity, visit lcec.net.

Call for LCEC Environmental Funding Award Applications

August 6, 2019 – September 1 is the deadline to apply for LCEC’s 2019 Environmental Funding Awards. To apply for an environmental funding award from LCEC, organizations can email pr@lcec.net to receive an application. Interested organizations must meet certain criteria to be considered for the award including being located within LCEC service territory, funding utilized for projects/programs related to the environment and the utility industry, and having a demonstrated need for funds. Funding is awarded twice a year with deadlines happening in March and September. Nearly $100,000 has been awarded since the program’s inception in 2013. LCEC’s Environmental Funding Award Program is just one of the many ways that LCEC positively impacts and supports wildlife and the environment.

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