The following is a release from Puget Sound Energy:

The first blast of very cold weather this season is hitting Western Washington, and it’s bringing with it strong winds in some areas. In preparation for potential problems, Puget Sound Energy crews and employees are on alert to respond to any customer electric outages or natural gas emergencies. PSE urges residents to steer clear of downed power lines and always assume they’re energized.

With an expected heightened demand for electricity and natural gas this week to warm homes and businesses, PSE has sufficient supplies for the more than 1.4 million customers we serve. But conservation and energy efficiency are always important. PSE encourages everyone to use energy wisely, particularly during the peak periods of customer use from 6:30 to 9 a.m. and from 4-7:30 p.m.

What residents can do to save on heating bills

• Set the thermostat to 68 degrees or lower when you’re at home and awake, and lower it another seven to 10 degrees when you’re asleep or away. It might be on the cool side, but the savings add up. For most homes, the heating bill drops by about 2 percent for every one degree the thermostat is lowered. Install and properly set a programmable thermostat to make this happen automatically.

• Seal up leaky drafts around doors and windows with weather-stripping, caulking and door sweeps. Also seal up any leaks or gaps in furnace ducts that extend through unheated basements or crawl spaces.

• Reduce air leaks by repairing broken windows and using inexpensive weather-stripping around entry doors. Insulate attics, outside walls and floors over crawl spaces.

• Those with baseboard heaters, turn the thermostat down or off in unoccupied rooms and close the door. Do not do this with a furnace or heat pump.

Preparing for possible power outages in cold conditions

• Assemble an emergency kit, including a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, bottled water and non-perishable food.

• Make sure the blanket supply is adequate for extended outages.

• In an emergency, blankets and cardboard can be hung over windows and doorways to minimize heat loss.

• Keep portable heaters away from furniture, draperies and other flammable materials.

• Never use a natural gas range for heating or charcoal as an indoor heating or cooking source.

• Leave on just one light switch to indicate when power is restored. Turn off or unplug all appliances during an outage because an electrical overload could damage them.

• Report power outages online at PSE.com if possible, or by calling 888-225-5773.

Natural gas appliances that operate without electric power

• Most gas water heaters will operate during a power outage.

• On cooktop ranges, the top burners will work. Cooktops with electronic ignitions can be lighted with a match. Before turning on the front burner, light the match first, then gradually turn on the burner. (Be sure to provide ventilation for exhaust fumes.) Consult the owner’s manual for instructions. Never use cooktop burners to heat space.

• Gas logs and log lighters in fireplaces will work manually.

PSE’s energy use records

• PSE’s customer natural gas usage set a record high for the 24-hour period ending on Dec. 9, 2009 at 7 a.m. of 812,813 million British thermal units (MMBTu).

• Also on that date, the peak electricity usage of 4,912 megawatts, which occurred at 8 a.m., broke the previous record peak of 4,906 megawatts set Dec. 15, 2008. In addition, the 24-hour electricity usage on that date also exceeded 100,000 megawatt hour for the first time in the utility’s history.

• Those records are not expected to be broken this week.

PSE customers who think they may have difficulty with higher bills should contact us to get more information about payment plans or other available payment assistance options at 888-225-5773.