Power Outages
Most power outages are resolved quite quickly, but severe weather events can cause prolonged power outages. Preparing in advance of prolonged power outages can reduce their impact.
Before a power outage
As with all emergencies, it's always good to have your emergency kit ready with enough food, water, medications, and supplies for your family and pets for a minimum of 72 hours. In addition, if you anticipate a power outage, you should:
- Charge cell phones and other devices and consider purchasing a power bank and charge it
- Have a battery-powered or wind-up radio
- Consider adding an alternate heat source
During and after power outages
If the power goes out, you can protect your home and family by:
- Turning off appliances and leaving one light on
- Use battery-powered lights or glow sticks and not candles
- Draw extra water for bathing and flushing if you rely on a well
- Never use BBQs, generators, or camp stoves indoors
- Avoid opening your fridge or freezer unless necessary
- Monitor local media and social media for updates
- Wait for 10-15 minutes after power is restored before turning on tools and appliances
- Throw out unsafe food