“Just a quarter-inch of ice can add hundreds of pounds to power lines, causing them to sag or break. Ice-covered branches become 30 times heavier than normal, increasing their chance of falling onto power lines. Freezing conditions can also impact transformers, substations, and other critical equipment,” explains Anne Hawes, DEMCO Member and Public Relations Manager.
To stay safe during winter weather, DEMCO urges members to:
- Stay at least 30 feet away from downed power lines.
- Never touch, drive over, approach, or move a downed line; always assume it is live!
- Observe barricades and avoid areas with visible damage.
- Keep children and pets indoors, as tree limbs and standing water may conceal energized downed lines.
DEMCO encourages members to conserve energy during peak times to help maintain grid stability and manage costs.
"To avoid high bills following the storm, decrease electricity usage before, during, and after the storm," says Hawes.
Energy-saving tips include:
- Set thermostats to 68°F or lower.
- Run large appliances (heater, oven, washers, dryers, dishwashers) before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
- Use cold water when washing clothes
- Use blankets and layer warm clothing indoors to minimize reliance on heating systems.
“Your co-op is here to support you, but we all share the responsibility of managing demand during extreme weather,” says Hawes. “Working together ensures grid reliability and helps keep long-term energy costs manageable.”
Visit https://demco.org/lighten-load-lowering-usage-and-saving-together to learn more about reducing energy usage without sacrificing comfort.
About DEMCO
DEMCO is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative serving over 117,500 meters in seven parishes: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, and West Feliciana. From growing suburbs to remote farming communities, electric co-ops serve as engines of economic development for 42 million Americans across 56% of the nation’s landscape.
