What to Do in a Power Outage

[Harrison]

Don't get left in the dark if a power outage strikes your neighborhood. Take steps now to prepare your home.

Things You'll Need

Battery Radios
Blankets
Candles
Canned Foods1. Gather emergency supplies, such as candles, matches, flashlights and batteries, a battery-operated radio, a manual can opener and canned food.



2. Know the location of the fuse box or circuit breaker in your home.


3. Learn how to reset the circuit if necessary or change a blown fuse.



4. Find out ahead of time how to manually override an electric garage door.


5. Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings if you think an outage could occur. This will help keep the food cold longer.


6. Use a surge protector to protect electrical items like your computer, TV and VCR. This can prevent a sudden surge of electricity from damaging them.


7. Have blankets or cardboard handy to cover windows in the event that the heat goes out. This will help prevent drafts.



8. Identify the most insulated room in advance; that's where you and your family can gather if you need to stay warm.

9. Turn your thermostat to low and turn off the circuit breaker for your water heater to reduce a high demand for electricity once the power does come back on. This will help prevent an overload that can cause it to go off again.


10. Leave one light switch on so you'll know when electricity has been restored.


Tips & Warnings

If you do have a power outage and want to try to save your food, put perishables like milk, cheese, pork, poultry and meat in the freezer to help keep them fresh. They spoil quickly at temperatures above 40 degrees F. Cover the freezer with a blanket to help keep the cold air in.
If you smell gas - do not use matches or flip switches - including flashlight switches.

[Scotto]

In some areas, it is a good idea to have at least three days of drinking water on hand.

[greenrenovator]

Make sure you have phone w/ cord. Despite the popularity of cordless phones, a common misconception is that they will still operate during a power outage. Unless you have a phone with an integrated backup battery, chances are you'll have a dead phone during a power outage.

[jo-jo1974]

I'll tell you what, Glade has these new flameless candles... Its also an air freshener. I love them, not only do they put out as much light as a regular candle, they are safe to have in the house with little ones. They go out automatically after 3 hours if left untouched. I have 3 so far, they also make a great nightlight for scared of the dark little ones!

[Harrison]

You're right, Green. When we had that big blackout a few years ago, my land line was one of the very few working phones in the apartment building I lived in back then. I still have a land line and probably always will.

[Scotto]

We have taken our outdoor solar lights and bring them in for the night when the power goes out, saves on batteries.

[Harrison]

Great idea, Scotto! I never would have thought of that!

[Cherub]

Well, when the power goes out this time of year that means the heat goes out as well

So when this happens (out of concern for my wife of course, nothin more) I suggest she get naked immediately (of which I do too) so we can keep each other warm :motocanaglia_cagnol

Pure intention only of course :motocanaglia_angel: