NATIONAL GRID PREPARED FOR NOREASTER ON EVE OF THANKSGIVING AND BUSIEST TRAVEL DAY OF THE YEARCompany Offers Safety Tips and Information on Carbon Monoxide WarningsNovember 25, 2014 - National Grid crews are prepared for a winter storm bearing down on the region beginning tomorrow with the steadiest snow in the late morning and evening hours. Forecasts are calling for snow accumulations across portions of the company's eastern New York service area from Columbia to Warren Counties depending on the track of the storm. "Our first concern is the safety of the public and our employees," said Ken Daly, President, National Grid New York. "We are prepared for this event and will assess damage and restore service as quickly as possible, but we also want the public to be prepared." Safety is a number one priority and the company is urging customers to watch out for their own well-being and the safety of utility crews working during the storm, especially by staying off slippery roads as crews work to restore outages as swiftly as possible. While the most snowfall is predicted to occur Wednesday, National Grid began mobilizing additional crews and equipment resources earlier this week. The company is continuously monitoring the storm, communicating with local officials, first responders and life support customers. It also is prepared to implement its Incident Command System (ICS), if necessary. National Grid provides a number of channels for customers to learn about service issues and interruptions during storms. Customers can receive text message alerts and updates by texting the word STORM to NGRID (64743) or follow the storm on their mobile devices by using the National Grid mobile app. The company provides real time outage information on its Outage Central web site at nationalgridus.com/OutageCentral. E-mail alerts are also available to customers who create an online profile on the company's website. All alert services can be started and stopped at the customer's request. National Grid also provides storm and restoration updates through Facebook and Twitter. National Grid advises customers to be prepared for service interruptions. It's a good idea to have a number of working flashlights, at least one battery-operated radio and an extra supply of batteries in your home. A radio is a good way to stay in touch, as National Grid provides news media with timely information regarding service restoration efforts. National Grid is keeping safety a priority
  • National Grid offers the following tips for customers to minimize inconvenience and maximize safety in the event that storm-related power interruptions do occur.
  • National Grid customers who experience outages should call National Grid's outage line at 1-800-867-5222 immediately to expedite restoration.
  • Never touch downed power lines, and always assume that any fallen lines are live electric wires. If you see one, report it immediately to National Grid or your local emergency response organization.
  • Power problems can sometimes interrupt public water supply systems or disable well pumps, so it's an especially good idea to keep a supply of bottled drinking water handy, as well as some canned food.
  • People who depend on electric-powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should let National Grid know. To register as a life support customer, call the company's Customer Service Center at 1-800-642-4272.
  • Check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage period.
  • Electric safety
  • If you use a generator to supply power during an outage, be sure to operate it outdoors. Before operating generators, disconnect from National Grid's system by shutting off the main breaker located in the electric service panel. Failure to do this could jeopardize the safety of line crews and the public.
  • If you lose power, turn off any appliances that were on when the power went off, but leave one light on so you will know when power is restored.
  • Remember, it's not safe to work in an elevated bucket during periods of increased wind gusts. Our line workers begin restoration work only when conditions are deemed safe.
  • Gas safety
  • The build up of ice and snow around or over gas meters and vents for natural gas appliances could pose a serious safety risk. Ice and snow falling from a roof can damage gas meters or service connections to customers' homes or businesses, resulting in a gas leak.
  • Ice and snow blocking vents could cause carbon monoxide (CO) to back up into a building and result in carbon monoxide poisoning for those inside.
  • To avoid these dangers, National Grid advises natural gas customers to closely inspect areas around and over gas meters, service hook-ups and vents for ice and snow that could damage equipment or prevent CO from properly venting.
  • National Grid advises that you take immediate action anytime you suspect a natural gas leak:
  • Get Out - All occupants should leave the house immediately. Open windows to ventilate. Do not use the telephone or light switches for any reason. Call Us - After leaving the house and reaching a safe environment, call the National Grid 24-hour gas emergency number: 1-800-892-2345 in Upstate New York. Stay Out - Do not return to your home until National Grid tells you it is safe. Carbon Monoxide
  • The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those of the flu. Depending upon the amount of carbon monoxide in the air and length of exposure, symptoms may include headaches, weakness, confusion, chest tightness, skin redness, dizziness, nausea, sleepiness, fluttering of the heart or loss of muscle control.
  • If you suspect carbon monoxide is present in your home, go outside immediately and breathe deeply; then call 911. If symptoms are severe, get medical attention right away.
  • Extreme Cold Temperatures Cold stress, or hypothermia, occurs when exposure to extreme cold temperatures causes the body's temperature to fall below 95 degrees. Seek medical attention if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
  • Skin that is cool to the touch
  • Violent shivering
  • Difficulty in speaking or moving
  • Slowed breathing
  • Drowsiness
  • Sudden change in appearance or behavior
  • Puffy or swollen face
  • Trembling in arm, leg or one side of body
  • Cold and stiff muscles
  • Difficulty with coordination and balance The following tips help to minimize potential cold stress:
  • Dress properly
  • Layer loose-fitting clothing
  • Wear mittens instead of gloves
  • Wear a hat and a scarf
  • Avoid alcohol - it can increase your body's heat loss
  • Remember that certain drugs can increase risk by affecting the body's ability to regulate its temperature


About National Grid National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks. The company is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society - to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and developing an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century. National Grid holds a vital position at the center of the energy system and it 'joins everything up'. In the northeast US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles. In Great Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. For more information please visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com.

Follow us on Twitter, Watch us on You Tube, Friend us on Facebook, Find our photos on Instagram.




distributed by