PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

With more than a foot of heavy, wet snow and high winds forecasted to hit the region during the next 48 hours, PECO is ready. More than 3,000 employees and contractors are prepared to respond to customer needs, repair potential storm damage, and safely restore service as quickly as possible.

With preparations beginning late last week, PECO’s Emergency Response Organization has been activated, with employees preparing vehicles, finalizing staffing plans and securing resources from local contractors and assistance from the company’s sister utility, ComEd, in Chicago.

Heavy, wet snow can accumulate on trees, adding significant weight causing branches to break, which can result in power outages for customers. If outages do occur, field crews and personnel will work to repair damage and safely restore service to customers as quickly as possible.

PECO reminds customers to stay safe during extreme winter weather and prepare for possible storm damage. Customers can visit peco.com/alerts to choose how to receive messages from PECO regarding an outage or severe weather – via text, email or phone.

Just as PECO has made preparations ahead of the storm, customers also should be prepared for the impact of severe weather:

• Have a flashlight with fresh batteries on each floor of your home.
• Charge cell phones and other mobile devices.
• Have a supply of bottled water and easy-to-prepare food.

If an outage does occur:

• Stay away from downed wires, damaged electric equipment, and tree limbs and branches contacting electrical equipment. Always assume PECO’s equipment is energized, even if there is an outage in your neighborhood. Report these dangerous conditions to PECO immediately by calling 1-800-841-4141.
• Turn off and unplug appliances and other devices to prevent possible damage. Remember to keep one light on so you know when service has been restored.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Move meats, cheese, milk, and other perishable items into the freezer to stay colder longer. A partially full freezer can keep food frozen for up to 24 hours, and up to 48 hours when full.
• Customers who experience an outage or issue with their natural gas service should call the company immediately at 1-800-841-4141. Customers also can report outages online, using their desktop, tablet or mobile device at www.peco.com.

PECO, founded in 1881, is Pennsylvania’s largest electric and natural gas utility. Headquartered in Philadelphia, PECO delivers energy to more than 1.6 million electric customers and more than 516,000 natural gas customers in southeastern, Pennsylvania. The company’s 2,500 employees are dedicated to the safe and reliable delivery of electricity and natural gas as well as enhanced energy management conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. The company also has an estimated annual economic impact of $4.3 billion in Pennsylvania, supporting more than 8,700 local jobs and producing $732 million in labor income. PECO is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation's only Fortune 100 utility and leading competitive energy provider. For more information visit PECO.com, and connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.

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