Emergency Electrical Power Outage Checklist

Preparing for an outage is easier than you think. Stocking up on a few supplies and planning ahead can help you stay safe and comfortable.

Build Your Outage Supply Kit 

• First      Aid Kit: In      addition to the usual items, also include prescription medications – check      the expiration dates
• Bottled      Water: Experts      recommend a gallon per person per day
• Flashlights      & batteries: Store      them where you can easily find them – even when it’s dark
• Non-perishable      food: Choose      items that don’t require cooking or heating
• Manual      can opener
• Coolers      or ice chests: Have      a few to store ice in case of a lengthy outage 
• Special-needs      items: This      includes items for infants, the elderly, or the disabled
• Battery-operated      radio: To      access news reports
• Fresh      batteries: For      all battery-powered equipment
• External      rechargeable battery pack: To charge cell phones and      other electronic devices 
• Non-cordless      phone: To      plug in during power outages

Home Preparation Checklist 

• Keep      important phone numbers (fire department, paramedics, police, hospital,      doctor, relatives, etc.) by the phone
• Place      flashlights in handy locations, such as near the phone
• Install      surge protectors to help safeguard electronic equipment
• Familiarize      yourself with your home’s utility boxes (electricity, water and gas) and      how to turn them off; keep the proper tools to do so handy
• Frequently      back up important work and files on your computer
• Learn      how to manually open your automatic garage doors or gates
• Keep      the gas tank in at least one car half full at all times
• If      you have a portable gas generator, identify an outdoor location where you      can safely use it during a power outage - never use it indoors
• Make      a safety preparedness plan for your family, including a list and location      of the above items and a plan for how pets will be cared for
• Be      prepared to meet the special needs of any infant, elderly, or disabled      people in your household

Stay Safe During an Outage 

We work hard to prevent power outages, but they do happen occasionally. If you experience a blackout at home or work, here are some simple safety reminders:

• First, check for      blown fuses or tripped circuits that may be the cause of the loss of      power. Also, see if your neighbor has power. This will help determine      whether there’s an electric outage.
• Switch off the      lights (except one). You can help prevent damage to your electronics and      appliances by unplugging them -- computers, stereos, televisions and air      conditioners. After the electricity is restored, you can plug them in      again.
• Get updates from      a battery-powered radio if it’s a storm or emergency situation. If it’s a      hot day, find relief from the heat at a nearby cool center.
• Keep a fully      charged cell phone on hand. During power outages, you may lose phone      service, and your cordless phone may also lose power.
• Keep      refrigerator and freezer doors closed. It helps keep the food cool. Before      eating food items, check them for spoilage.
• Never light      fires or charcoal indoors. If you are cold during a power outage, wear      multiple layers of warm clothing.
• If you see a      downed power line, do not touch it. Call 911 immediately.

Appliances

• Unplug them: Unplug      expensive electronics and appliances to prevent damage. This includes      televisions, computer equipment, washers and dryers, game consoles, fans,      lights, etc. 
• Use surge protectors: When you can’t      unplug electronics, surge protectors can help prevent damage.

Turn out the      lights: Turn      off all light switches and lamps except for one. You want to leave one      “on,” so you’ll know when power returns. If the power is still out      when you go to sleep, leave a bedroom light switch on to wake you so you      can safety check your home.