If you experience a power outage:• Use flashlights instead of candles
• Keep generators outdoors only
• Never use grills or gas stoves for heat
• Report outages to your utility provider
Carbon monoxide safety is critical during outages.
Stay safe during a power outage by focusing on food preservation, generator safety, and electrical hazards.
Immediate Safety Actions
- Report the Outage: Call your local utility provider immediately to report the blackout. Do not assume neighbors have already done so.
- Unplug Electronics: Disconnect computers, TVs, and large appliances to protect them from power surges when electricity is restored.
- Keep One Light On: Leave one lamp switched “on” so you will know exactly when the power returns.
- Avoid Candles: Use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns for light. Candles are a significant fire hazard, especially around children or pets.
Food & Water Safety
- Keep Doors Closed: Keep refrigerator and freezer doors shut as much as possible. An unopened fridge keeps food safe for 4 hours; a full freezer maintains its temperature for 48 hours.
- “When in Doubt, Throw it Out”: Discard any perishable food (meat, dairy, eggs) that has been above 40°F for more than two hours.
- Alternative Water: If you have a well or pump-assisted system, fill bathtubs with water before a storm to use for flushing toilets manually.
Critical Hazards
- Generator Safety: NEVER run a generator indoors, in a garage, or near open windows. They produce deadly, odorless carbon monoxide (CO). Keep them at least 20 feet away from the house.
- Downed Power Lines: Stay at least 35 feet away from any downed wires and anything they are touching. Always assume they are “live” and energized.
- Indoor Heating: Never use a gas oven, stove, or charcoal grill to heat your home, as this can cause CO poisoning or fires.
Temperature Management
- In Cold Weather: Dress in layers, use blankets, and close off unused rooms to trap heat.
- In Hot Weather: Move to the lowest level of your home (basement), drink plenty of water, and wear lightweight clothing.
Emergency Supply Checklist
- Light: Flashlights with extra batteries or hand-crank lanterns.
- Communication: A battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio.
- Power: Fully charged portable power banks for cell phones.
- Food/Water: At least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food and 1 gallon of water per person per day.
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