Just like kerosene heaters in the winter, this woman's death should have been ENTIRELY preventable.
PUT THE MEDICAL NOTICE ON THE METER * NOT in the office of the power company and CERTAINLY NOT in the computer of the power company's office. Put a STICKER on the meter with the DATES that the medical need/power of life is activated....if it needs to be renewed, those dates can be placed OR A NEW STICKER placed on the meter when it is read.
This is SO PREVENTABLE and because it is a power company (utility) there will be little recourse for the dead woman's husband.
EVERYONE who knows of someone that requires power for their life * whether for breathing or otherwise * needs to advise them to notify their electric company and provide any medical documentation necessary AND place their own sticker on their electric meter that such a order is on file.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/25/AR2010062503592.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/25/AR2010062503592.html
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM * GIBSON MANAGEMENT GROUP, Ltd.
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Good grief - this is a sad situation and something that should not have happened.
Excellent advice, Lanre! It is the same theory as those life alert bracelets that alert emergency personnel that someone had diabetes or epilepsy, so they don't give them the wrong treatment because they don't have immediate access to the patient's doctor and his medical records. If you have a life threatening condition, you should do whatever is necessary to protect yourself from those who may do you harm inadvertently.
Great advice Lanre! I DO know people that have a "no shut-off order" for their electricity due to health reasons. I think a label on their meter is a GREAT idea! Might make a good community service project...
So sad Lanre! Of course for the family, it is too late to act accordingly and notify the utility company. Thank you for passing Wallace's message along.