OG&E reminding residents to prepare for Arctic blast

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - More winter weather is moving into the state this weekend and Oklahoma Gas and Electric is reminding residents to be prepared.

“Each year, OG&E prepares our power plants for winter by the end of October to ensure continued operation throughout winter and protect our customers from extreme cold and winter weather,” said OG&E Manager of Corporate Communications Aaron Cooper.

OG&E is urging customers to prepare for the cold temperatures:

• Identify nearby warming stations. A list of warming stations in the OG&E service area is available at OGE.com/WarmingStations.
• Stay weather aware. You can download the 4Warn Me app to stay updated on your local weather. You can also sign up for myOGEalerts. Make sure to check road conditions before traveling if expecting precipitation.  
• Make plans for you and your loved ones. Have a safety plan and build a support network for elderly or homebound loved ones or neighbors. Know your options if you or a loved one have a life-threatening condition and need electricity to power a medical device. Include pets and their needs in your plan.  
• Before leaving the house: 
  • Stock your emergency kits: Ensure your kits have everything you need, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, a portable device charger, canned goods, bottled water and pet food; keep one in your home and one in your car. Make sure your devices are fully charged.
  • Include winter gear when traveling: Consider keeping blankets or extra coats in your car. 
  • Dress for the weather: If you need to be outside in extreme cold, wear layers, waterproof insulated boots, mittens or gloves, and a hat. At least half of a body’s heat is lost if the head is not covered. Never wear wet clothing, as this can make you lose heat faster.
• Weatherize your home to combat the cold. For example, you can:
  • Clean or replace filters on furnaces. 
  • Clean warm-air registers and baseboard heaters. Make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting or drapes.   
  • Caulk expansion joints and minor wall cracks.   
  • Check windows and doors for air leaks and apply putty, caulk or weather stripping as needed.   
  • Insulate water heaters that are in an unconditioned space 

• While outages are not expected during this round of cold temps, remember these tips to conserve energy, minimize heat loss and stay safe, just in case:
  • Open your curtains and blinds during the day. This allows the sun to naturally warm the space. 
  • Cover windows at night to minimize heat loss. 
  • Place heaters on a hard, non-combustible surface. 
  • If the indoor temperature drops to 55°F, open faucets slightly so they drip to prevent pipes from freezing. 
  • Never use a gas range or charcoal for indoor heating. 

"We encourage our customers to prepare ahead of the arctic blast as well. Have a safety plan, check on loved ones, and consider identifying warming stations near you through OG&E’s warming stations list. Preparation is key to staying safe in any extreme weather conditions.” Cooper added.