Meter Reading Safety
Each day our meter readers are visiting homes and businesses to collect energy use information. The following tips will help ensure they can do their job safely and efficiently and help protect you from potential imposters who may attempt to disguise themselves as utility employees.
Keep Meters Clear
Whether it's summer vegetation growth or ice and snow build-up, follow these simple steps to prevent damage to your meter and to keep our employees safe. These steps can also make it easier to read meters and reduce the need for estimating your actual energy use.
- Keep pets leashed or penned away from natural gas and electric meters and the path our workers take to reach the meter.
- In the summer, keep vegetation such as flowers, bushes and weeds clear of the meter - be careful not to damage the meter when trimming.
- During the winter months, keep the meter free of snow and ice buildup and try to keep sidewalks and gate areas free of ice and snow.
- For indoor meters, the path leading to the meter should be kept clutter-free and well lit to help spot potential hazards.
Dog Bites
Dog bites are on the rise. More than 4.7 million are reported each year in the United States, with as many as 800,000 Americans seeking medical treatment for dog bites. Every year, Consumers Energy employees are bitten by dogs while on the job. You can help by following these tips from the United States Postal Service and the Humane Society of the United States.
- Spay or neuter your dog - unneutered dogs are more likely to bite.
- When a service provider comes to your home, keep your dog inside, away from the door, in another room or on a leash.
- Be particularly cautious with dogs that have been known to bolt through windows and screen doors.
- Don't let your child get close to a service provider in the presence of your dog. Your dog's instinct is to "protect" the family.
- Obedience training can teach your dog proper behavior and help you control your dog in any situation.
- If your dog must be loose near your meter, you can avoid estimated bills by submitting your meter read online or calling our toll-free 24-hour customer service number: (800) 477-5050.
To phone in a meter read:
Press 4, then press 1 to report your meter read. Enter your meter read from left to right followed by # sign. We'll repeat the meter reading to you. Press 1 to confirm we have accurately recorded the read.
Note: Please have your account number and current meter read on hand when calling with a bill concern. For information on how to read your meter, visit our eService meter read page.