1. Make sure Walton EMC has your correct telephone number on file. You can see the number we have on record by looking at the top of your monthly electric statement.

2. If a computer answers your outage call, punch in the number where the outage is occurring. If you call from a cell or pay phone, the computer won't recognize this as your number. You'll have the chance later in the process to leave the number where we can get in touch if you're calling from a different location.

3. If you call from a rotary phone, you'll need to orally record your outage information to the computer. Simply follow the voice prompts. Our dispatchers need your name, WEMC account number and street address (not a post office box). They don't need your city, state or zip.

4. Try the Internet to report your outage. If you can't get to a working computer, call someone you know and have them report the outage for you.

5. Check your breaker panels before you contact us. Check both the main breaker on the inside panel and outside disconnect (older homes probably won't have an outside disconnect). The outdoor disconnect will be located close to your electric meter.

If the breaker is tripped, it will be stopped halfway between "off" and "on." You'll have to turn the breaker off first and then back on to reset it. If you still have power in part of your home, check the individual breakers in the panel. If you're not sure how to reset a breaker, ask someone who knows to show you.

6. If your power blinks a couple of times but comes back on, you don't have to contact us. On the other hand, if you notice blinks over the course of several days, let us know so we can check our lines for problems.

7. Have a contingency plan in place for life-support patients. If there is catastrophic damage to our system or if main trunk lines are damaged, it may take time to get power restored. Those main trunks must be functioning before any other repairs, including those to life-support patients, can be effective.