Outage Safety and Tips

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Unplug Appliances
Unplug appliances with electronic components, such as microwaves, televisions, and DVD players. This will help eliminate damage to your appliances from voltage surges when the electricity is restored.
Wait a Few Minutes
Wait a few minutes before turning on these appliances when the electricity is restored. This will reduce demand on the power supplier’s electrical system.

Double Check Generator
If you use a standby generator, be sure it has been installed and wired properly. If improperly installed, a generator could cause dangerous conditions for utility employees working to restore power.
Check for Flooding
Check the basement periodically for flooding. You can use a portable, gasoline-powered pump, located outside, to pump out a basement or crawl space when the power is interrupted to an electric sump pump. Never wade into a flooded basement unless electricity supplying sump pumps, freezers, etc. has been disconnected.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Dress warmly. Several layers of clothing provide better insulation than a single layer of heavier clothing.
Move to a single room, preferably one with few windows. Ideally, this room should be on the south side of the home for maximum heat gain in the daytime. The room should also be shut off from the rest of the house.
If you use an alternate heat source, be sure and follow operating instructions.
To keep your water pipes from freezing, a small stream of water can be left on to prevent this.

Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. Wrap blankets around the appliances to provide extra insulation.
Make sure you have bottled water and a supply of freeze-dried or canned food in your emergency kit to prevent dependence on your refrigerator.
A barbecue grill is an excellent way to prepare food. A charcoal grill should always be used outside.
Air conditioners should be turned off during power outages. Do not turn them back on for several minutes after the power has been restored.
Dress comfortably, and use natural ventilation to keep your home cool.
If the health of family members is a concern, stay with friends or family or go to a shelter.
Your electricity supplier should be notified if you use life support equipment in your home.