When your lights go out, look outside and see if your neighbors are also in the dark. If they are not, check your fuse box or circuit breaker to see if you can locate the problem.
If the Jeff Davis Electric Co-op (JDEC) system is believed to be the cause of the outage, call our Jennings office at (337) 824-4330 or our Hackett office at (337) 598-5700.
When severe weather causes power outages, employees of JDEC begin working immediately to restore service as quickly as possible. Primary lines serving hundreds of customers are serviced first, and then the secondary lines serving just a few customers are serviced. Medical facilities and individuals on life-support systems are given top priority.
Steps to Take During an Outage
Outages that occur in severe weather or that last for an extended period of time, can place a heavy burden on the system at the moment power is restored. To prevent an overload on the system and possibly another outage, take these steps:
Turn off every inside light except one.
Turn down your thermostat in winter, and turn your thermostat up in summer.
In cold weather, close windows and drapes to save heat. Pick one room on the warm side of the house (preferably one with a fireplace.) Close the door to the rest of the house and use blankets to insulate your windows.
If the outage lasts over 60 minutes, turn off your electric water heater.
Make sure your kitchen range is off, both the surface and the oven. Never use it for heat.
Turn off all unnecessary appliances.
Avoid opening the refrigerator door as much as possible. If the power is out for less than 4 hours, then the food in your refrigerator will be safe to consume. If the power is out for longer than 4 hours, pack milk and other dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, and spoilable leftovers into a cooler or ice chest surrounded by ice.
Avoid opening the freezer door. A full, freestanding freezer will keep food at freezing temperatures for about 2 days; a half-full freezer for about 1 day. For more information about food and safety during and after a power outage, call the USDA Food Safety Hotline at (800) 535-4555 or go to the Food Safety website.
If you see a downed power line, stay away!! Call us at once!
Leave your porch light on so JDEC workers will know when your power has been restored. When power comes back, slowly switch your appliances and lights back on and gradually return your thermostat to its normal setting.