Flu Update: Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Swine Flu

We're taking some extra precautions during this flu season to make sure you and our other customers continue to receive the best possible service from us.

This is particularly necessary with the nationwide spread of the H1N1 strain, also known as swine flu. Michigan is one of the hardest hit states.

Many of our precautions have been implemented behind the scenes. But some may be more apparent to you.

What Consumers Energy is Doing
What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
Resources and Links

What Consumers Energy is Doing

Our gas service workers have been provided with facemasks and protective gloves to use when they do work in homes where it is known that flu is present.

So, please do not be alarmed if our employees turn up at your door wearing masks! Please ask to see photo identification. We require all Consumers Energy employees and contractors to carry an ID badge with their name and photo.

The best way to maintain our emergency response capability is to help prevent our own employees from getting sick.

So, if a family member has the flu when a Consumers Energy employee arrives at your home, please inform our employee before they enter your home.

We'll get to your home just as fast, but we'll be prepared.

Another step we're taking is to suspend meter reads inside homes where we know flu is present. Meter reads are important, but not as essential as responding to emergencies.

In these instances, we'll provide an estimated read, and then reconcile any differences once the flu alert is over.

At this time, we're not making any changes at our company bill payment centers where you may come to pay your bill. But if the flu situation worsens, this may become necessary. If so, we will let you know so that you're fully informed.

All of us at Consumers Energy hope you and your family stay well during this flu season. If you want to find out more about the flu situation and preventive measures you can take, we recommend you visit the Web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov.

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Get vaccinated. Vaccination is the best protection against flu. Check with your doctor's office, local pharmacy or health department for availability of the seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu vaccines.
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through the coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
• Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

Resources and Links