Stay safe this storm season - The Energy Charter
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Stay safe this storm season
Be prepared Trim your trees before they cause
any damage
Horizon Power is committed to providing Trees or branches touching powerlines are one of
the safest and most reliable power supply to the main causes of power interruptions and can
customers and we work hard to safely and even cause fires or other serious accidents. The following diagram shows the minimum
clearance zone, trees should be no closer than
quickly restore power supplies when a three metres to powerlines.
storm hits. While Horizon Power manages an extensive tree
trimming program to mitigate the risk of these
By following some simple steps before, during incidents, residents also have a responsibility to
and after a storm, you can help stay safe and ensure trees on their properties are trimmed.
3m
reduce the risk of power interruptions caused by
these extreme weather events. As a general rule, trees should be no closer than
3m
three metres from powerlines.
Preparing your family and home for the winter
storm season is your responsibility and should Make sure your trees are trimmed before storm
be made a priority. Here are a few tips to help season. If the trees at your home need to be
you in preparing your home. trimmed, Horizon Power strongly recommends
that you hire a professional tree contractor with
current qualifications and insurances to ensure
Roadway Property Boundary
the work is carried out safely.
Have your trees trimmed at least three metres from powerlines
Have an emergency kit of essential items ready to go
Clean up any loose material Prepare an emergency kit 2. Communication equipment
• battery-operated radio
Storms can cause extensive damage to homes, Have an emergency kit of essential items
cars and may even cause injury or loss of life. available. Sometimes storms can damage • mobile phone (make sure you charge
Most storm damage to homes occurs from and limit access to our networks to such an your mobile phone battery)
loose or broken roof materials, fallen trees and extent that we are unable to restore power • telephone (have a telephone that works
branches and flooding from blocked gutters immediately so you need to be prepared. without power, cordless telephones rely
and downpipes. on power to operate)
An emergency kit is vital for short term survival.
You can reduce the damage to your family and Your emergency kit should include the following: 3. General items
home by being prepared.
1. Important supplies • portable stove
Ensure your home and yard is clear of unsecured • tinned and other non-perishable food • cooking gear
objects and rubbish that could blow around and • eating utensils
• waterproof torch
cause damage during a storm, such as outdoor
• spare batteries • blankets or sleeping bags
furniture, boats, gardening equipment, bikes and
gas bottles. Make sure gutters and downpipes • first-aid kit and medications • toiletries and toilet paper
are clear of leaves and blockages. • fresh drinking water • masking tape for windows• waterproof bags
• pet supplies
Customers who rely on life
support equipment
Storm warnings
• spare clothing - including wind
Customers who rely on life support equipment Stay tuned to your local radio, television or
and waterproof clothing
are able to register with Horizon Power and will internet for regular storm warnings and updates.
• cash be given priority restoration in the event of any You can find further storm information via:
• personal documents unplanned power interruption; however, you
• Department of Fire & Emergency Services
• emergency contact numbers also need to make sure you have a contingency
(DFES) website www.dfes.wa.gov.au or by
plan in place. This may involve having access to
• spare house and car keys calling DFES’s Public Information Line on
a generator or arranging to go to a hospital or
1300 657 209.
health care centre that has back-up power.
Other handy tips • Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) website
If you wish to register as a life support customer www.bom.gov.au or by calling the Land
• Ensure your pet(s) are registered in case with Horizon Power, please fill out the Weather Warnings and Flood Warnings
they get lost. Stock up on food, water and application form available on our website at Advice Line on 1300 659 213.
medicines for each pet. https://horizonpower.com.au/power-outages/
• Ensure your family understands storms register-as-a-life-support-customer/ or
and the risks. telephone us on 1800 267 926.
• Check you have adequate insurance.
It is necessary to renew your application with us
every 12 months.Leading up and during • Ensure that your car has a full tank of fuel
and ready to go.
During a storm
• Turn off and unplug electrical appliances. There are precautions and actions you can take
Most electrical appliances such as during a storm to help keep your family safe.
When a storm is forecast televisions, DVD players, computers, stereos, • Close your curtains and blinds and keep away
• Check over your preparations and remind air-conditioners, cooking ranges, microwave from windows and doors.
your family of the procedures. ovens and reticulation systems feature • Keep your emergency kit with you.
sensitive electronic components. Before a
• Check your emergency kit is up to date. • Unplug all electrical appliances and turn off
storm hits, unplug all electrical equipment
• Secure or remove loose material and rubbish to protect against possible power surges or the gas supply.
around your home. spikes during the storm or when power is • Keep refrigerators and freezers closed as
• Charge mobile phones. restored. Also unplug television or DVD aerials food will stay fresh for several hours without
• Ensure pets are secured safely under shelter. to prevent damage from lightning strikes. power if seals are in good order.
• Use a torch to find your way around.
• Do not use a landline phone during a storm.
Use a mobile, but only in emergencies.
• Should your power go out, turn off all lights
except one so that you will know when
power has been restored.On hearing a storm warning check over your preparations and remind your family of the procedures
After • Do not use any electrical appliances that
have been damaged or submerged in water
Keep well clear, warn others and call
Horizon Power immediately on 13 23 51.
(such as from flooding or water leaking into
• For State Emergency Services (SES) your house). After the storm has passed, have Warn children not to play or swim in
assistance call 13 25 00. a licensed electrician inspect water-damaged floodwaters as there may be unseen live and
In a life threatening situation call 000. appliances to make sure they are safe. dangerous electrical wiring or fallen powerlines
• Report any power interruption to which may be hidden by debris in the water.
Horizon Power on 13 23 51.
Around fallen powerlines
• Assess your home and property for damage; be
careful because there may be fallen powerlines Do not at any stage go near a fallen powerline.
and trees, broken water and sewage lines, They may appear harmless, but they could be
loose roof sheeting and other material. deadly. Always assume that a fallen powerline is
• Check for gas leaks. live and stay well clear.
• Check whereabouts of pets.
High winds and flying debris can bring down
• Check on neighbours and friends to see if overhead powerlines. Take care when cleaning
they require assistance. up as fallen powerlines hidden in branches,
• Do not make unnecessary telephone calls. debris or water can be extremely dangerous.What to do if the power goes out Going away? Generators
We are committed to restoring power as safely If you are going to be away during winter, make Always run portable generators outside. Never
and quickly as possible, so please be patient if sure you turn off all sensitive electrical appliances use generators inside or in the garage as petrol
your power is interrupted. before leaving to avoid damage from power and diesel-powered generators produce deadly
surges and save money as well. You may also carbon monoxide fumes. Also keep generators
Once power is restored, make sure you wait want to consider emptying and unplugging your well away from open windows, including your
for a few minutes before turning on all your refrigerator and freezer. This will avoid spoilage neighbours, to keep dangerous fumes away.
appliances. This will help to avoid overloading problems if the power supplies are interrupted.
the electricity network, which may cause Plug appliances directly into the generator’s
damage to your appliances. Consider asking a neighbour or friend to check outlet using a Residual Current Device (RCD)
your house after a storm to make sure the power and a heavy-duty extension cord rated for
Use a licensed electrician to check any appliances is reconnected. Power may be reconnected to outdoor use. Follow the manufacturer’s
that you think might have been damaged by the your street, but if no one is home, our crews recommendations for earthing the generator.
power failure. Do not use appliances that have will be unaware that there may be a separate
been submerged or damaged by water without problem with your power supply. Do not plug generators directly into your
getting them checked by a licensed electrician. premise’s wiring as this can ‘back feed’ into
powerlines and can cause a dangerous situation
for a neighbour or a repair crew working to
restore power.Always assume that a fallen powerline is live and stay well clear. Call Horizon Power on 13 23 51
Horizon Power contact details Emergency contact numbers *This brochure has been prepared in good
faith and is derived from sources believed
To report a dangerous electrical situation, such Police Ambulance Fire 000 to be reliable and accurate at the time of
as fallen powerlines, call 13 23 51 State Emergency Service (SES) assistance 13 25 00 publication. Nevertheless, the reliability
and accuracy of the information cannot be
For information on power restoration call 13 23 51 Water Corporation 13 13 75 guaranteed and Horizon Power expressly
For general queries call 1800 267 926 Telstra (Faults and Service difficulties) 13 22 03 disclaims any liability for any act or
If you have hearing or speech difficulties, please Alinta gas emergencies and faults 13 13 52 omission done or nor done in reliance on
the information and for any consequences
call 1800 461 499 (TTY) Local St John Ambulance whether direct or indirect, arising from such
Website: www.horizonpower.com.au Hospital / Medical Centre / act or omission. This brochure is intended to
Nursing Post be a guide only and readers should obtain
Find us on their own independent advice and make
More information their own necessary inquiries.
HP_3_18016_S
Our Customer Service Centre prepares for events
such as cyclones and utilises extra staff during times DFES Public Information Line 1300 657 209 This document is available in alternative
formats.
of crisis. However, it is possible that you may still DFES website www.dfes.wa.gov.au
experience delays due to the number of other callers. BoM Cyclone Warning Advice Line 1300 659 210
If you experience difficulty in speaking with a BoM weather and
Customer Service Officer, please contact the State www.bom.gov.au
cyclone forecasts
Emergency Service on 13 25 00.
Road Conditions (Main Roads) 13 81 38
ABC radio and other local mediaYou can also read
