Recent power outages are a good reminder that it’s important to be prepared. While we never know what Mother Nature has in store, taking a few simple steps now can make an outage less stressful and help keep your family safe.
Stay Informed
- Call us at 800-473-1722 for 24-hour service.
- Never assume we know your power is out. If you’re without power, please report your outage.
- Keep a charged cell phone available and consider having a corded phone on hand, as cordless phones typically won’t work during an outage.
Be Prepared
Keep Your Contact Information Updated
Our automated outage reporting system uses the phone number(s) associated with your account. Make sure your contact information is current before an outage occurs.
You can update your phone number by:
- Calling 800-473-1722
- Emailing rea@runestoneelectric.com
- Updating your information through SmartHub under Contact Information
Build an Emergency Kit
Consider keeping the following items on hand:
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable food
- First aid supplies
- Flashlights
- Battery-powered weather radio
- Extra batteries
Food and Water Safety
Extended outages can affect the safety of refrigerated and frozen foods. Review the FDA’s guidelines for food and water safety during power outages before an emergency occurs. FDA Guidelines »
Be Safe
- Always stay away from downed power lines.
- Never approach trees, branches, or debris that are touching power lines.
- Assume every downed power line is energized and dangerous.
- Report downed power lines immediately.
Be Patient
We understand power outages are inconvenient. Our number one goal is to keep the lights on and restore power as safely and efficiently as possible when outages occur.
During major outages, power restoration doesn’t always happen neighborhood by neighborhood. Crews first repair substations and main lines that restore service to the largest number of members. From there, they work their way down to smaller lines and individual services. As a result, you may notice a neighbor’s power is back on while you’re still waiting for service to be restored.
We appreciate your patience and understanding while crews work to restore service.
Thinking About a Generator?
Extended outages often have members considering a generator for backup power. Whether you’re researching a standby generator or currently using a portable generator, safety should always come first.
Portable Generator Safety Tips
- Follow all manufacturer instructions for installation and operation.
- Make sure the generator is properly grounded according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Operate generators outdoors only, where carbon monoxide fumes cannot enter your home.
- Never run a generator inside a home, basement, crawl space, shed, or attached garage.
- Place generators in a dry, well-ventilated area away from doors, windows, and air intakes.
- Do not overload the generator beyond its rated capacity.
- Plug appliances directly into the generator using properly sized outdoor-rated extension cords.
- Ensure extension cords have grounded, three-pronged plugs and are in good condition.
- Never run extension cords under rugs or carpets.
- Never connect a portable generator directly to your home’s wiring.
- Never plug a generator into a household outlet. Backfeeding electricity can seriously injure or kill utility workers and others.
- Never refuel a generator while it is running.
- Store fuel outside living areas and away from heat sources.
- Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting it down.
- Keep children and pets away from generators at all times.
Sources: Consumer Product Safety Commission and Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Standby Generators
Interested in a standby generator? Learn more »