Sign Up for Power Outage Texts from ComEd

I'm typing this column on my iPad due to a power outage from the storms Monday morning. The irony is the fact that I was writing a column on how to receive power outage updates via text from ComEd. Needless to say, I lost all that I wrote.

So here I attempt to tap out the story on my new iPad With special thanks to my husband for setting me up with 3G service this weekend.

I signed up for the texting service from ComEd last week. It was quick and easy to do. To access the registration page, click here. You will be required to give your first and last name, account number as shown on your ComEd bill, the cell phone number you want to receive the texts on and your cell phone carrier. That's all there is to it.

So far I have received two texts informing me that crews are on site working on my outage. The first told me power would be back on by 10:30 a.m. and the second informing me it would be back by 12:30 p.m.

I'm sure I will receive another soon because I still have no power and it's just past 12:30. This is a terrific free service, although your carrier will charge you for the text if that is part of your plan. If you are away from the house you can be notified and run home to check on your sump pump, if necessary. You will receive a text letting you know the power has been restored, too.

Right now I'm really looking forward to that text. I hope it comes soon.

After the power comes back on it's time to start researching that whole house back-up generator like I had in my Florida home.