Atlantic City Electric Encourages Customers to Be Ready Before Severe Weather Strikes

September is National Preparedness Month, and Atlantic City Electric is encouraging customers to prepare now for severe weather and potential power outages. The awareness campaign, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), highlights the importance of having an emergency plan for all aspects of life.

Atlantic City Electric provides resources and information to help customers stay safe before, during and after severe weather events. The company also strengthens and modernizes the local energy grid to help keep the lights on and restore power more quickly when outages occur. This work includes inspecting existing infrastructure, replacing aging equipment, trimming trees that could bring down power lines, installing new underground equipment and deploying smart technology, such as reclosers, that can automatically restore service or isolate damage. Today, across Atlantic City Electric's service area, outages occur 43 percent less often than they did a decade ago, and Atlantic City Electric has prevented more than 160,000 outages so far this summer. For customers, that means fewer spoiled groceries, fewer disrupted workdays, and fewer nights without heat or air conditioning.

Atlantic City Electric trains year-round with its sister Exelon utilities - Delmarva Power, BGE, ComEd, PECO and Pepco - as well as local and state emergency management partners. When a major storm hits, that preparation allows Atlantic City Electric to quickly bring in additional crews, equipment and expertise from across the Exelon family to help restore power and keep customers informed throughout the response.

While these investments and actions are making a difference, severe weather can still cause extended outages across communities in South Jersey. Having a plan in place can help customers and their households remain safe and prepared. Atlantic City Electric recommends that customers take these steps now:

Build a Family Emergency Kit with essential supplies, including:

• Flashlights and fresh batteries. Use flashlights instead of candles to reduce fire risk.

• A battery-operated radio, a fully charged cellphone with a car charger, and a corded telephone.

• One gallon of bottled water per person per day, along with shelf-stable food and pet food.

• Cash, first aid supplies, blankets for colder weather, and refills of important medications.

• Keep your vehicle ready by maintaining a full gas tank or a fully charged electric vehicle.

Prepare Your Home:

• Have a plan to keep refrigerated medications cold during an extended outage.

• Protect electronics and appliances by plugging them into surge protectors.

• Ensure medical equipment is fully charged with backup power options available.

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to help preserve food during an outage.

• Follow the rule: "When in doubt, throw it out" when evaluating perishable foods after an outage. See the U.S Department of Agriculture's guidance on food safety.

Generator Safety:

Make sure to use generators properly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Never use them inside your home or in an attached garage.

• Have them installed outside, in well-ventilated, dry areas, at least 20 feet from your house. They should point away from your home's air intakes.

Additional Tips

• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers, including Atlantic City Electric's outage line (1-800-833-7476) and remember - always assume power lines are live and never touch a power line.

To learn more about Atlantic City Electric, visit The Source, Atlantic City Electric's online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting atlanticcityelectric.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/AtlanticCityElectric, and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at twitter.com/AcEleCconnect. Atlantic City Electric's mobile app is available at atlanticcityelectric.com/MobileApp.