UNIONDALE, N.Y., Jan. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- PSEG Long Island is prepared for the approaching winter storm forecasted to bring more than a foot of snow, high winds and blizzard conditions across the entire service territory from Monday through Tuesday night.

In anticipation of the storm, PSEG Long Island is taking the following steps to ensure it is ready to respond to any resulting power outages:

• Scheduling all available personnel so they are ready to respond on Monday
• Arranging for contractors, including tree crews, to assist the utility's own skilled workforce
• Reaching out for 400 additional mutual assistance linemen; 170 are leaving the Midwest tonight, with the remainder expected to leave tomorrow morning
• Performing system checks on critical transmission & distribution equipment
• Ensuring the availability of critical materials, fuel and other supplies
• Coordinating with county and municipal emergency management personnel to inform them of outages and expedite restoration efforts.

"At PSEG Long Island, safety is always our top priority and we urge our customers to be prepared and to stay safe during this major winter weather event," said John O'Connell, vice president of Transmission & Distribution at PSEG Long Island. "The blizzard conditions will make working and traveling difficult for our crews to get around and safely respond to any outages. We will respond as quickly and safely as possible but ask our customers for their patience and understanding."

STAY IN TOUCH
All of PSEG Long Island's customer offices will be open for regular business on Monday from 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. ET. Payments will not be accepted on Monday after 11:00 a.m. ET, as PSEG Long Island will reassign certain customer office personnel to their storm assignments.

The following customer offices will remain open as Customer Outreach Centers and will be staffed and stocked with bottled water and charging stations for customers to charge their personal communications devices:

• Riverhead – 117 Doctor's Path, Riverhead, NY 11901
• Brentwood – 1650 Islip Avenue, Brentwood, NY 11717
• Roslyn Heights – 250 Willis Avenue, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577.

PSEG Long Island offers several additional ways for customers to be prepared and stay in touch during an emergency:

• To report downed wires or power outages, customers should call PSEG Long Island's Customer Service line at 1-800-490-0075.
• Once registered, report power outages by texting "OUT" to PSEGLI (773454).
• Check for updates using our outage map at https://www.psegliny.com/c.cfm/Outage.
• Follow our Facebook and Twitter pages for restoration progress. Do not report outages through our social media pages.
• Make sure everyone in the family is prepared and knows what to do if there is an emergency. Please visit https://www.psegliny.com/page.cfm/Sesame to learn about the PSEG and Sesame Street App "Let's Get Ready: Planning Together for Emergencies".
• Watch our YouTube videos at https://www.psegliny.com/page.cfm/CustomerService/StormCenter for tips on how to prepare your family and how power is restored after a storm.

IF YOU LOSE POWER
First check your neighborhood. If you are the only one without power, check your fuse box for tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses. If that's not the problem, look outside at the wire between your house and the utility pole. If it is down, report it immediately to PSEG Long Island.

To report downed wires or power outages, customers should call PSEG Long Island's Customer Service line at 1-800-490-0075. PSEG Long Island uses an automated system to handle customer calls as efficiently as possible. Customers who get an automated response when calling PSEG Long Island are encouraged to use it, as it is designed to route their calls to the right destination. If you have specific information regarding damage to wires, transformers or poles, PSEG Long Island asks that you stay on the line to speak with a representative to provide that information.

Customers with a handheld device can also report power outages by texting "OUT" to PSEGLI (773454).  You will receive confirmation that your outage has been submitted and will begin receiving updates on the status of your outage. This requires a one-time registration. To register, text REG to PSEGLI (773454) or visit the My Account section of the PSEG Long Island website. General outage activity throughout our service territory is also available online and on our mobile website at www.psegliny.com.  Updates are posted on www.psegliny.com/stormcenter during severe weather.

DOWNED POWER LINES
Downed wires may appear dead but should always be considered "live." STAY AWAY FROM ALL DOWNED LINES. Do not approach or drive over a downed line. If a wire falls on a vehicle, passengers should stay in the vehicle until help arrives. Additionally, parents are urged to check for downed wires in areas where their children might play. To report a downed wire, call 1-800-490-0075 and tell PSEG Long Island the nearest cross street.

WHEN YOU DRIVE PAST OUR WORKSITES OR VEHICLES
Please slow down and be alert when driving past a PSEG Long Island roadwork jobsite. Driving too fast can endanger employees and hamper their ability to perform important work. PSEG Long Island crews use work area protection – traffic cones, utility work signs and flaggers – to allow them to do their jobs safely. Follow safe driving techniques to prevent fender-benders or more serious collisions that could delay our service technicians as they respond to customer calls or emergencies.

CUSTOMERS WITH LIFE-SUSTAINING EQUIPMENT
Individuals who rely on electricity to operate life-sustaining electronic equipment, such as a respirator or dialysis machine, should pre-register with PSEG Long Island. They should also inform their rescue squads and fire departments of their needs, in case of emergency. Customers with life-sustaining equipment should also have emergency back-up equipment on hand, since immediate restoration cannot be guaranteed.

GENERAL TIPS
Mother Nature can be unpredictable. It's wise to have an emergency kit on hand year round. Things to include:

• A battery powered radio
• A corded telephone (Cordless phones will not work if the power is out)
• Flashlights and extra fresh batteries
• A first-aid kit
• Bottled water and an adequate supply of non-perishable food
• A non-electric can opener
• Matches and candles with holders
• Extra blankets and sleeping bags
• A list of emergency phone numbers, including PSEG Long Island's Customer Service line: 1-800-490-0075. Call this number to report power outages or downed wires.

PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority's transmission and distribution system under a 12-year contract.  PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (NYSE: PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company with annual revenues of $10 billion.

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SOURCE PSEG Long Island