Lake County Gazette

Residents are being reminded of the importance of keeping fire hydrants visible and accessible during snowy conditions. The Fire Department urges residents to remove snow from around fire hydrants near their homes if they are able, emphasizing that in the event of a house fire, the time spent locating a buried hydrant can be critical.

Additionally, ComEd has issued guidelines for preventing its equipment from being buried in snow as winter months approach. There may be ComEd transformers or switchgear on properties that need access during winter. After snowstorms, snow removal efforts sometimes result in blocked access to crucial ComEd equipment.

ComEd advises that at least ten feet of open space is required in front of equipment cabinet doors, with an additional one foot of clearance on the remaining three sides. Residents and snow removal teams are reminded to avoid piling snow on or around ComEd equipment along plow routes or in parking lots, as this may damage the equipment and potentially cause power losses.

If power is lost, residents should call 1-800-EDISON-1 to initiate the restoration process.

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