The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is asking the public to take these precautions:

Turn refrigerators and freezers to their coldest settings to ensure food lasts longer in the event of a power outage.

Use battery-powered flashlights instead of of candles. If you use candles, do not leave them unattended.

In case of heavy winds and lightning, turn off or unplug electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics.

Make sure family members know where the circuit breaker is located in case you need to turn off the power. This will be necessary if you have to evacuate the premises.

If you have to evacuate your home during the storm, when you return, check for electrical damage such as frayed wires, sparks, the smell of hot or burned insulation or disconnected service wires. If you find such damage, do not turn your power on until your house is checked by an electrician.

Do not touch a fallen power line or try to move it yourself. If the line is still energised you could be electrocuted. Contact the police or report it to JPS 1-888-Call JPS.

Only a licensed electrician should attempt to connect a stand-by generator to the main electric panel of a home or business. A special switch is needed to ensure that the power from the generator does not "back feed" into JPS lines and injure customers or JPS crews working to restore service.