ROYAL OAK, Mich., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- A blast of winter cold temperatures, snow and ice has hit Michigan. Consumers Energy is reminding customers to keep safety in mind by making sure their meters are free of ice and snow. When snow and ice is allowed to build up around outside gas and electric meters it can become compacted and freeze. This can sometimes cause damage to the meter and interfere with its proper operation. Customers are advised to carefully remove snow by hand from around meters, regulators and vents. Using power snow removal equipment around these areas is not recommended. To help ensure the safety of meter readers, customers are also asked to keep their sidewalks, stairways and gate areas free of snow and ice buildup. For indoor meters, the path leading to the meter should be kept clutter-free and well lighted to help spot potential hazards. A clear path to the meter and a meter that is clearly visible without a build-up of snow and ice will help make meters easier to read and reduce the need for estimating energy use. "Customers definitely play a key role in helping us do our jobs safely, and we appreciate their cooperation," said Frank Johnson, senior vice president of energy operations. "The simple things they do to assist us can mean the difference between an injury-free visit and an accident." Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation, provides natural gas and electric utility to nearly 6.5 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. DATASOURCE: Consumers Energy CONTACT: Media, Debra Dodd, +1-248-433-5781, or Tim Pietryga, +1-616-530-4364, both of Consumers Energy Web site: http://www.consumersenergy.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/203850.html

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