RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As Dominion Virginia Power crews finish restoring power to customers affected by the record-breaking weekend storm, the company also is preparing to respond to an approaching storm - the fourth in two months - by ensuring that adequate supplies, repair material and personnel are available.

The work crews who responded to the weekend storm already are in position in Northern Virginia and the Charlottesville area, where snowfall is expected to be heaviest. Crews also are in place at offices and locations throughout the Dominion Virginia Power service area.

Dominion anticipates a mixture of precipitation including snow, freezing rain and strong winds that could knock trees and limbs into power lines and create outages.

Dominion reminds its customers to stay away from downed power lines and anything touching downed lines, such as trees or limbs. Customers should call toll free 1-888-667-3000 to report outages or downed lines. Customers who have on-line accounts can report outages on-line and ask to be contacted by telephone when outage restoration information becomes available.

In the event of severe weather, take these steps to help prepare for possible outages:

Before the storm:

• Establish an online account with Dominion at www.dom.com, keyword: "manage your account."
• Make sure you have a battery-operated radio - or one that can be hand-powered - and battery-operated clock, multiple flashlights and extra batteries.
• Turn off and unplug any non-essential electrical equipment in your home.
• Make sure all prescription medications are filled.
• If you have pets, make sure you have provided for them as well.

During the storm, if your electricity is interrupted:

• Call Dominion at 1-888-667-3000 to report an outage. Do not rely on your neighbors to report your outage.
• When reporting your outage, whether via phone or online, enter the phone number where you can best be reached in case Dominion needs to contact you for more information or to provide an update.
• Leave one light on so you will know when power is restored.
• If using portable or camp-type stoves or lanterns for cooking and lighting, ensure that the area is adequately ventilated.

After the storm:

• Stay away from fallen wires and debris. Treat all fallen wires as if they are energized.
• Follow safe operating procedures for generators. Never operate one inside your home, in crawl spaces or in an enclosed space, such as a garage.
• Do not hook portable generators directly to the electrical system of your home. Electricity could flow backward onto Dominion's power lines and endanger lives. Either have a qualified electrician perform the work or plug directly into the generator with the proper-sized extension cords.
• Visually inspect the area around your electricity meter. If you detect or suspect any damage, call Dominion at 1-888-667-3000.
• Clear snow from the area around your home's heat pump so that air can circulate properly.
• Check for ice buildup within the exterior heat pump mechanism. Ice buildup can impede the proper functioning of the fan. If it persists, you may need to contact a qualified service technician.

Dominion (NYSE: D) is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of more than 27,500 megawatts of generation. Dominion operates the nation's largest natural gas storage system and serves retail energy customers in 12 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.

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SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power