Jun 1, 2025 | Safety and Security, Storms and Outages
The arrival of the summer months brings about the inevitable threat of severe rain, wind and lightning, and those summer storms can cause power outages.
The work we do year-round – from upgrading and strengthening the equipment on our electric delivery system to trimming trees near our power lines to reduce the likelihood of tree and limb-caused outages – is designed to help ensure we provide you with the safest, most reliable power possible.
And the work we’re doing is making a difference.
In 2025, we’ve seen a 14% decrease in tree-related power outages and a 22% decrease in the total number of minutes customers are without power when compared to the same time last year.
Despite those efforts, severe storms can still cause power outages, so we want our customers to always be prepared. There are some simple, but important steps to take to stay safe and prepared. Here’s what you can do:
Before storms
- Have an emergency kit with food, water, medication and any pet supplies you may need in any outage or emergency at any time of the year. Store it in an airtight container.
- Make sure to have batteries and battery-operated flashlights readily available.
- If you have medical equipment that requires power, have a backup location to go to if you lose power.
- Sign up for PPL Alerts at pplelectric.com/alerts to make sure you receive power restoration updates when outages occur.
- Charge your phones and other devices when severe storms are imminent.
During storms
- If you lose power, please report your outage online at pplelectric.com/outage or text “Outage” to TXTPPL (898775).
- Remember that candles can start fires. If you lose power, use flashlights instead.
- If you encounter a downed wire at any time, assume it’s energized and stay away.
- If you lose power and are using a portable generator, never operate the generator in an enclosed area, like a garage, where deadly carbon monoxide fumes could accumulate.
- If you lose power, it’s a good idea to disconnect appliances and electronics during the outage to eliminate the risk of damage.
- Avoid opening your refrigerator and freezer as much as possible.
- Do not use ovens or ranges to heat your home.
- Unplug sensitive home electronics. Turn off ovens and space heaters that may have been on when the outage occurred.
- During extended outages, check with your local government about temporary shelters.
For more information on staying safe during storms and general electrical safety, visit pplelectric.com/OutageSafety.
May 1, 2025 | Safety and Security
Staying safe around electricity is something we focus on every day as we work to deliver the most reliable power possible to our 1.5 million customers. We should also take that mindset home with us and make electrical safety a priority.
During National Electrical Safety Month, take some time to inspect electrical equipment and components in your home and make sure your home is free from electrical hazards. And if you do detect some safety hazards, consider hiring a qualified electrician to do an inspection and make any needed repairs or upgrades.
Here are some common electrical safety measures, including tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation International, that you can take around your house:
Extension cords
- Never use more than one extension cord and don’t overload the cords you do use.
- Make sure the extension cords you use are properly rated for their intended use and have been approved by an independent testing laboratory.
- Inspect cords before use. If you spot cracked or frayed sockets, loose wires or loose connections, discard and replace the cord.
- Don’t put staples or nails through cords.
- Don’t put carpets or rugs over cords.
Overloaded circuit warnings
- Flickering, blinking or dimming lights.
- Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses.
- Warm or discolored wall plates.
- Crackling, sizzling or buzzing in receptacles.
Power tool safety
- Use ground fault circuit interrupters with power tools to protect against shocks.
- Don’t use extension cords longer than 100 feet with power tools.
- Never use power tools near live electrical wires or water pipes.
- When working with electricity, use tools with insulated grips.
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
Smoke alarms
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every floor.
- Test smoke alarms once a month.
- Replace smoke alarm batteries annually.
- Occasionally dust or lightly vacuum exterior of alarm to remove dust and cobwebs.
- Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
Outdoor safety
- Contact 811 at least three business days before any digging project.
- Always identify potential overhead power lines before beginning any outdoor project.
- Carry ladders parallel to the ground to avoid contact with overhead power lines.
- Don’t use electrical equipment or extension cords in wet conditions or in the rain.
Additional resources
PPL Electric offers a variety of important electrical safety information and resources at pplelectric.com/safety. You can find resources for specific groups including:
Jan 9, 2024 | Storms and Outages
Power outage? Text “outage” to “TXTPPL” (898775) or report it here.
Update: 1.10.24, 4:30 p.m.
As of 3:30 Wednesday afternoon, about 8,750 of our 1.5 million customers were without power. Since Tuesday afternoon, 65,000 customers have been restored from the original 73,750 customers without power.
We have brought in additional crews to supplement our efforts. Our crews began working Tuesday morning and will continue to work around the clock to safely and quickly restore power as soon as possible.
Update: 1.10.24, 10:00 a.m.
Storms caused widespread damage and power outages across our service territory Tuesday afternoon into the early morning on Wednesday. As of approximately 7:30 a.m., about 12,600 of our 1.5 million customers were without power.
Our crews began working Tuesday morning and are continuing to safely restore power to customers who are experiencing outages. We are bringing in additional crews to supplement our efforts.
Because of the scope of repairs, full restoration could take until Thursday for some customers, although many customers will get power restored sooner, as crews work around the clock to repair damage.
Continued wind could result in additional outages through this afternoon. We encourage customers to stay safe and report any outages.
Update: 1.9.24, 11:00 a.m.
An incoming storm is expected to bring heavy rain and winds across our service territory from Tuesday morning into Wednesday afternoon. We’re closely monitoring the forecast and are prepared to respond to storm-related power outages.
Our dedicated team is ready to respond to any issues that may arise, and we are bringing in additional workers to assist in any restoration efforts that may be necessary. We’ll work as safely and quickly as possible to assess damage and restore power to all customers who are impacted.
We’ll be posting updates on this page throughout the storm. You can adjust alert preferences to receive a phone call, text or email at pplelectric.com/alerts to stay informed during a storm. If you experience an outage, report it by visiting pplelectric.com/outage,texting “Outage” to TXTPPL or call 1-800-342-5775.
While we’ve prepared for possible outages, we want you to be prepared too:
- Charge your cell phones, portable chargers and other electronic devices so they’re ready to use in case of an emergency.
- Prepare or update your emergency kit with food, water, medication and pet supplies.
- Remember that candles can start fires. If you lose power, use flashlights instead. Now is a good time to check your flashlight batteries.
- If you have a portable generator, test it to make sure it’s working, but never operate it in an enclosed area, like a garage, where carbon monoxide fumes could accumulate.
- Assume any downed power line is energized. Stay clear by at least 100 feet and keep kids and pets away. If you see a downed power line, report it immediately by calling 1-800-342-5775 (1-800-DIAL-PPL).
Dec 1, 2023 | Safety and Security
Safety for our employees at work and safety for our customers is our priority. Throughout the year, we host a variety of programs to encourage safe practices, including presenting theater performances for children, hosting a traveling safety exhibit and publishing a children’s book.
This time of year, as we adorn our communities and homes with colorful lights and cheerful decorations, it’s important to keep safety in mind. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are 160 decorating-related injuries every day during the holiday season.
We’ve put together a list of eight simple tips to help you stay safe and jolly:
- Decorate by daylight – Always hang decorations during daylight hours.
- Care for your cords – Keep your cords clean and unharmed. Use plastic or insulated clips to secure your cords instead of nails, screws or tacks. Make sure all outdoor cords and plugs are weatherproof.
- Look for damage – Throw out any damaged light strands and replace them with LED strands. Check wall sockets, wires and any loose connections.
- Lighten the load – Be mindful of your electrical load. Follow manufacturer guidelines for how many sets of lights can be safely connected to your outlets and extension cords.
- Ladder matters – Always carry ladders parallel to the ground and look up for power lines before positioning your ladder.
- Space it out – Place holiday trees, candles and decorations at least three feet from fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents and candles. You, your decorations and your equipment should always be at least 10 feet from power lines.
- Night’s out, lights out – Turn off your holiday lights and decorations before leaving home and prior to going to bed.
- Direct traffic – Avoid running extension cords under rugs or in high traffic areas.
The holidays are meant to be merry and bright, and we want you to spend these moments with those who mean the most to you. Following these tips will help keep you safe and keep your focus on the season.
Dec 14, 2022 | Safety and Security
Deck the Halls and do it safely.
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
The holiday season is upon us. It’s the time of year for fun, cheer, and holiday lights! With all the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s important to keep safety — particularly electrical safety — at the top of your holiday list.
Did you know that nearly 5,000 people visit the emergency room each holiday season due to indoor and outdoor electric decoration mishaps, according to the United States Consumer Product and Safety Commission?
Don’t be part of that statistic. Here are six tips, courtesy of Electric Safety Foundation International (EFSI), to keep you safe while decking the halls:
- Check it Twice — Be sure to check strings of lights for broken bulbs, cracked sockets or loose connections. Also check each decoration’s electrical cord to ensure they are not frayed or cut.
- Easy There Clark — When hooking up electrical holiday decorations, don’t overload circuits, outlets, or extension cords with too many plugs. Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for how many sets of lights can be safely connected. Too many strings can cause a potential overload, which is one of the leading causes of house fires.
- Up on the Rooftop — When stringing up outdoor lights, always use a dry wooden or fiberglass ladder and stay clear of any overhead powerlines. You, your decorations, and your equipment should be at least 10 feet away from powerlines at all times.
- Hang them with Care — When hanging electrical holiday decorations, don’t use nails, screws, tacks, or staples to hang them. Piercing the cord could damage the wire’s insulation and cause electrical shock or fire. Try using plastic or insulated clips instead.
- Home Alone — If you are leaving the house, be sure you turn off your holiday lights and decorations. And do the same when you’re sleeping. Using an automatic timer can make it easier to turn everything off, or on, precisely when you want to.
- Bah Hum-Rug — When decorating indoors, don’t run any extension cords under rugs or carpets. Plus, be sure to discard any older, outdated, or damaged extension cords to help prevent the risk of a fire.
Don’t let something preventable ruin your holiday season. A little bit of preparation can help you make your season bright, and most importantly, safe.
