It’s summer and there’s so much to see, do and enjoy in southeast Michigan. Whether you’re heading to the lake, your local farmer’s market or one of the many area weekend art fairs or festivals, don’t let the heat or a storm spoil your summer fun. Follow these tips to stay safe when the weather outside is “hotter than hot.”
- Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated throughout the day is crucial. Avoid sugary drinks and caffeine, which can lead to dehydration.
- Dress appropriately: Dress in lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing. Hats and sunglasses can provide additional protection from the sun. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on any exposed skin to prevent sunburn.
- Limit outdoor activities: Schedule outdoor activities or chores for early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler. Avoid strenuous activities during peak heat hours.
- Cool down: Use fans, air conditioning, or cool baths to help cool down. Create shaded areas in your yard or use umbrellas to provide relief from direct sunlight.
- Fun out of the sun: Outings to the movies, your local library and other air-conditioned spaces can provide you with entertainment while helping you stay cool.
What to do if a summer storm causes the power to go out
When summer weather turns stormy, consider preparing an emergency kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries and a first aid kit, and make sure your mobile phone is fully charged.
If the power does go out, rest assured that DTE will be working to restore your service as quickly as it is safe for us to do so. While crews are working to get the lights back on, follow these tips to stay safe around any downed power lines.
- Look up to know what’s down. After a storm, make sure to look up at nearby poles to see if a line has fallen to the ground.
- Assume all downed lines are energized. Downed power lines can still be energized even if they don’t spark, smoke or buzz.
- Stay away. If you do see a downed power line, stay at least 25 feet away from it – that’s about the length of a school bus.
- Call it in. Call 9-1-1 or contact DTE at477.4747 to report a downed power line. By reporting the issue, you’ll help DTE identify a potential public safety hazard quickly so we can prioritize our response.
- Never cross yellow caution tape. Caution tape shows that a hazardous situation exists. It has been placed there for your safety.
For more information about electrical safety, please visit dteenergy.com/safety.