Hurricane Sandy Resources (Links, Phone Numbers, Tips)

Phone Numbers

PSE&G – 1-800-436-PSEG
JCP&L – 1-888-LIGHTSS
Verizon – 1-800-837-4966
Princeton Borough Police 609-924-4141
Princeton Township Police 609-921-2100
PlanetPrinceton.com editor Krystal Knapp – 609-375-8920, email editor@planetprinceton.com

Call 911 for emergencies. For non-emergencies call the police department non-emergency line. Editor’s Note: The Princeton Fire Department will not pump out basements. Fire personnel will shut off electric and gas in the event of an emergency.

Links

The website for the consolidated Princeton
The Princeton Borough website
The Princeton Township website
The Princeton Township Police Facebook Page
The Princeton Township Police Twitter Account
The West Windsor Township Police Facebook Page
National Weather Service
National Hurricane Center
New Jersey Office of Emergency Management
FEMA
PSE&G Outage Center
JCP&L Outage Center
PlanetPrinceton.com
Facebook.com/planetprinceton
Twitter.com/planetprineton

Tips

– If the power goes out, check on your neighbors, especially the elderly and those with special needs.

– Be sure you have any necessary prescription medications available.

– Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings . Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.

– Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles, and cooking utensils.

– Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home.

– Avoid elevators.

– Stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors.

– Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy. Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.

– If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power surge when electricity is restored.

– Make sure you have food and water put aside for your pets to take with you if you must evacuate your home.

Portable Generator Safety Tips:

– Never connect a generator directly to your home’s wiring unless your home has been wired for generator use. This can cause backfeeding along power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including lineworkers making repairs. Have a licensed electrician install the equipment necessary to safely connect emergency generators to your home.

– Operate outdoors only, never in enclosed spaces.

– Always plug appliances directly into generators. Connecting the generator to your home’s circuits or wiring must be done by a qualified, licensed electrician who will install a transfer switch to prevent backfeeding.

– Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords. Make sure extension cords are free of cuts or tears and the plug has three prongs. Overloaded cords can cause fires or equipment damage.

– Ensure your generator is properly grounded.

– Never overload a generator. A portable generator should only be used when necessary to power essential equipment or appliances.

– Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting it down.

– Keep the generator dry. Operate it on a dry surface under an open structure.

– Always have a fully charged fire extinguisher nearby.

– Never fuel a generator while it is operating.

– Read and adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation. Never cut corners when it comes to safety (tips from PSE&G)

Avatar of Krystal Knapp

Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.