Just in time for Severe Weather Awareness Week in Indiana, which runs Sunday, March 10 - Saturday, March 16 this year, NIPSCO is reminding customers of the steps they can take to prepare for potential severe weather.

“With the spring season right around the corner, the time to get ready for storms is now,” said Mike Hooper, NIPSCO president. “Severe Weather Preparedness Week is a great time for our customers to learn about how they can keep themselves and their families safe while enjoying the many benefits that electric and natural gas energy offers.”

Here’s what you need to know for severe weather:

• Have an emergency plan and practice it with your family.

• Compile a storm preparedness kit, including essential medicines, non-perishable food items and water, flashlights, portable radios, extra batteries, and a manual can opener.

• If someone in your family requires life support equipment, make prior arrangements for a backup power supply. This may mean having a generator or a plan to go to a healthcare facility that has backup power.

• If you have a generator, make sure to follow the instructions supplied with the unit, and position it away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

• Label gas valves, water valves, and electricity main switches. Teach responsible family members how and when to turn them off.

• Store any flammable liquids, such as gasoline, paint, and cleaning products away from any natural gas appliance with a pilot light.

• If your appliances have been impacted by severe weather, do not attempt to place natural gas appliances back in service yourself. A qualified professional should check, clean, repair, and test all gas appliances and pipes.

• If you smell the sulfur-like “rotten egg” odor of natural gas or think there may be a gas leak, stop what you are doing, leave the area immediately, and then call 911 and the NIPSCO 24/7 gas emergency line at 1-800-634-3424.