Utilities
Electricity
Electrocution can result from direct contact with live wires or anything that has been energized by these wires.
- Locate your main electric switch, which is normally in the garage or outdoors. The panel box may have a flip switch or pull handle on a large circuit breaker.
- Shut off electricity when:
- Arcing or burning occurs in electrical devices.
- There is a fire or significant water leak.
- You smell burning insulation.
- The area around switches or plugs is blackened and/ or hot to the touch.
- A complete power loss is accompanied by the smell of burning material.
AP&T: 766-6500
Telephone
Call Alaska Power & Telephone with any questions: (907) 766-6500
Water Service
Water leaks can cause property damage and create an electrocution hazard.
- After a major earthquake, shut off your water supply to protect the water in your house. Cracked pipes may allow contaminants into the water supply in your home.
- The water shutoff is usually located in the basement, garage or where the water line enters the home. The water shutoff is located on a riser pipe and is usually a red or yellow wheel. Turn wheel clockwise to shut off.
Sewer Service
A disaster that disrupts all or part of the City’s water and/or sewer lines could affect the way you deal with human waste.
- If there is no water in your toilet, but the sewer lines are intact, pour 3-5 gallons of water into the toilet bowl to flush. You may use seawater, bath, laundry or pool water.
- If you suspect damage to your home’s water lines, do NOT flush the toilet. Turn off water at the house so contaminated water does not enter your water system.
- If sewer lines are broken, line bowl with double-bagged garbage bags to collect waste. Before discarding, add a small amount of bleach; then seal the bag and place in a tightly covered container, away from people.
- If the toilet is unusable, use a sturdy bucket with a tight fitting lid, and line it with a double-bagged plastic garbage bag.
Propane
Call Haines Propane with any questions: (907) 766-3191
Click for Important Propane Safety Information for You and Your Family
Fuel Delivery
IN AN EMERGENCY EVENT, fire, flood, earthquake, and avalanche – turn your fuel tank valve in the off position at the TANK!
You should always keep at least a 5 day supply of heating oil in your tank at all times. A typical house uses 3-5 gallons per day. Delta Westerns policy is that Auto-Fill Customers are the first priority. Call in’s second. After the Event, do a routine inspection of your fuel system, if safe, turn the tank valve back on. Backup wood heat and/or an electric or propane heater should be at hand. EVERY HOME SHOULD HAVE A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR with fresh batteries available.
Some items to look at:
Above Ground Tank Inspections
- Check the tank legs and make sure they are not unsafe or rusted
- Check the bottom of the tank – if you see wet spots or excessive dents then replace the tank before an expense release of fuel occurs
- Check for frost heaving and cracks in the tank foundations
- Check oil stains around the filter or valves
- Keep the tank out of the roof rain and snow line, to keep moisture out of the tank.
- Keep the vent pipe free and clear from falling snow or driving rain
- Do not rest the tank bottom on soil, rocks or conditioned wet wood, have it on a stand attached securely to your house or garage.
- Change your filters in the spring and fall. Keep the fuel free from water that might freeze and crack your filter or tank
Below Ground Tank Inspections
- An unexplained increase in fuel consumption
- Sheen’s in the nearby ditch or stream
- Signs of fuel spills or orders around the fuel fill and/or vent pipe
- Check vent pip and keep it clear of foreign mater like spider webs
Call your fuel provider for a safety inspection. Follow these precautions and this could save you thousands of dollars in spilled fuel and environmental concerns.
Delta Western, Fueling Alaska Safely
Call Delta Western with any questions: (907) 766-3190