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Monday, Sep. 28

A weather system is tracking into our region overnight with strong winds forecasted for Kitsap, Island, far Western Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Winds impacting fully flush vegetation this early in the season can lead to a larger than expected number of outages.

We understand how difficult it is to be without power.  Our teams are preparing to respond and we have added staffing overnight and into the morning. Crews will remain in the field to assess damage and restore power as long as it is safe.  If your power goes out, we’ll work around the clock to restore it as quickly and safely as possible.

As we prepare for storm conditions, we encourage our customers to do the same:

  • Make sure to have emergency supplies at home and in your vehicle, such as extra batteries, flashlights, food and blankets.
  • Have a battery-powered radio ready to go.
  • Charge cell phones and mobile devices in case the power goes out.
  • Download the PSE mobile outage app to track and report outages or visit pse.com/outagemap.
  • Find more preparedness tips at pse.com/storm.    

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Safety first:

  • Assume all wires on the ground are energized. Never touch or go within 35 feet of any wire on the ground. Call PSE at 1-888-225-5773 or 911 to report any wire on the ground.
  • If you’re using portable heaters, keep them away from furniture, draperies and other flammable materials.
  • Always use flashlights instead of candles.
  • Be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning:
    • Never install or use a generator indoors or in enclosed or partially-enclosed areas, even those that are ventilated. When using your generator outdoors during a power outage, avoid placing it near windows, doors and vents. More generator safety tips: pse.com/en/pages/generator-safety.
    • Never use a natural gas range for heating, or charcoal as an indoor heating or cooking source.
    • Additional carbon monoxide safety information: pse.com/en/pages/carbon-monoxide.
  • Never charge your phone or other devices in a running vehicle with the garage door closed.

Carbon monoxide safety

When you use any fuel-burning appliance, such as a natural gas furnace, without enough oxygen, it can create carbon monoxide (CO)—a toxic, colorless, tasteless and odorless gas.

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If you suspect carbon monoxide exposure, call 911 immediately.

How to know

Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure may include:

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Confusion
  • Nausea

Be aware

Carbon monoxide detectors (CO alarms) can alert you when the amount of CO in your home is approaching dangerous levels. Install them by bedroom entrances, in common areas and near areas containing fuel-burning appliances. If your home has multiple floors, install at least one per level.

When installing CO alarms within your home, carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding placement. Alarms must be positioned properly or they may be unable to adequately protect you from exposure.

Check your CO alarms regularly to be sure they are in working order.

Prevention tips

To limit your exposure to carbon monoxide:

  • Make sure that natural gas appliances are maintained and operated according to manufacturer recommendations.
  • Never operate a gas grill or generator indoors.
  • Don't open the door of a gas oven to heat your home.

Carbon monoxide versus natural gas

Both carbon monoxide and natural gas are naturally odorless and potentially harmful. But unlike carbon monoxide, natural gas is injected with a "rotten egg" odor to help you detect leaks or exposure.

To learn more about natural gas leaks, visit our Detect a Leak section.

We can help

If you think a fuel-burning appliance is not operating safely or you're having problems with a pilot light, call PSE at 1-888-225-5773 and schedule a service technician to perform an on-site investigation for free. Depending on the diagnosis, our technician can perform minor repairs on site for a fee.

More information

To learn more about carbon monoxide safety, visit these resources: