With tomorrow's storm anticipated to bring high winds (60+ mph in some places), the possibility for downed trees and loss of power is more likely than normal.
While most power outages can be dealt with somewhat quickly, it's never a bad idea to think about ways that an absence of electricity would impact your daily life.
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| Photo credit: FEMA |
Here are some tips to help you prepare for a loss of power -
Before you lose power:
- - To begin preparing, look at building an emergency kit and making a family communications plan.
- - Fill plastic containers with water and place them in the refrigerator and freezer if there's room. Leave about an inch of space inside each one, because water expands as it freezes. This chilled or frozen water will help keep food cold during a temporary power outage, by displacing air that can warm up quickly with water or ice that keeps cold for several hours without additional refrigeration.
- - Be aware that most medication that requires refrigeration can be kept in a closed refrigerator for several hours without a problem. If unsure, check with your physician or pharmacist.
- If applicable, know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it. Garage doors can be heavy, so know that you may need help to lift it.
- Keep a key to your house with you if you regularly use the garage as the primary means of entering your home, in case the garage door will not open.
- - Have a flashlight handy
- Don't forget extra batteries!
Other helpful items include:
- - A battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) as a source of information
- Medications (7-day supply) and required medical items
- A multi-purpose tool
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items
- Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, deed/lease to home, birth certificates, insurance policies)
- Cell phones & a way to charge them
- Battery-powered chargers, car chargers, solar chargers, hand-crank, etc
- Family and emergency contact information
- Extra cash
- ATMs will not work and stores may not be able to process card-based transactions
- A non-cordless telephone
- It may work even when the power is out
* If someone in your home is dependent on electric-powered, life-sustaining equipment, remember to include backup power in your plan
If power goes out:
- Use only flashlights for emergency lighting. NEVER use candles during a blackout or power outage due to risk of fire.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep your food as fresh as possible. If you must eat food that was refrigerated or frozen, check it carefully for signs of spoilage.
- Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment or electronics in use when the power went out. Power may return with momentary "surges” or “spikes” that can damage computers as well as motors in appliances like the air conditioner, refrigerator, washer or furnace.
- Do not run a generator inside a home or garage.
- Listen to local radio and to a battery- or generator-powered television for updated information.
- Leave on one light so that you'll know when your power returns.
- Do not call 9-1-1 for information—call only to report a life-threatening emergency. Use the phone for life-threatening emergencies only.
- Put on layers of warm clothing if it is cold outside. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors. Never use your oven as a source of heat. If the power may be out for a prolonged period, plan to go to another location that has heat to keep warm.
- Provide plenty of fresh, cool water for your pets.
- Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic signals stop working during an outage, creating traffic congestion.
- Do not ever touch a downed power line.
