Frequently Asked Questions

A: If you have a 240 volt electrical cook top, try turning one of the burners on. If it doesn’t come on, call BGE at 1-800-685-0123. If you don’t have an electric cook top, place a cup of water in your microwave for two minutes and see if your lights dim down. If they do, call BGE at 1-800-685-0123.

A: Every ten years. Every year in the United States, 3,500 people die in home fires. Most of these deaths occurred in homes that did not have a working smoke detector. IT’S A FACT: if your smoke alarm was installed before March 2001, it needs to be replaced (every ten years). For more information about home fire safety, visit the U.S. Fire Administration.

A: Check the battery and if the house is under 10 years old, vacuum out the smoke detectors. If the house is over 10 years old you should replace all the smoke detectors in the house.

A: Go to the electrical panel and turn every breaker “off” then “on,” and “off” then “on” twice. (Remember to do this twice, “off” then “on,” and “off” then “on.”)

A: Check all GFCIs (rectangular receptacles with test and reset buttons) in all bathrooms, the unfinished area of your basement, in the garage and all outside receptacles. Push the top button to reset the circuit.