What To Do When the Power Goes Out

Immediate Actions

When the lights suddenly go out, follow these steps:

Assess the situation: Determine if the power outage is limited to your home or affecting a wider area.
Check your home: Ensure your circuit breakers haven’t tripped and reset them if necessary.
Contact your utility company: Report the outage and get information about its extent and expected duration. You can typically do these things on their website.
Stay informed: Use a battery-powered radio to tune in to local news stations for updates.
Conserve phone battery: Remember that your home Wi-Fi won’t work during an outage, so use your mobile phone sparingly.

Many utility companies now offer smartphone apps or text message services that provide real-time notifications about power outages and restoration efforts. Take advantage of these services to stay informed.

Safety Precautions

During a power outage, prioritize safety by following these guidelines:

Avoid downed power lines: Fallen lines can still be energized and are extremely dangerous. Stay away and report them immediately to your utility company or local emergency services.
Use safe lighting alternatives: Battery-powered flashlights are safer than candles or kerosene lamps, eliminating the risk of fire associated with open flames.
Keep outdoor equipment outside: Grills, camp stoves, and other outdoor cooking devices produce carbon monoxide gas, which can be deadly when used in enclosed spaces.
Operate generators safely: Place generators outside and far from windows and doors to prevent exhaust fumes from entering your home and ensure proper ventilation.
Use portable heaters with caution: Follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions to reduce the risk of fire and ensure adequate ventilation when using these devices.

Essential Supplies

Being prepared with the right supplies can make a power outage much more manageable. Your emergency kit should include:

Flashlights and extra batteries
Emergency candles
Battery-operated or hand-crank radio
Nonperishable food items
Manual can opener
First aid kit and prescription medications
Personal hygiene products
Warm clothing and blankets
Battery-powered fans (for summer outages)
Bottled water

Having these items readily available can significantly improve your comfort and safety during a power outage. Regularly check and refresh your emergency supplies to ensure everything is in working order when you need it. Pay special attention to expiration dates on food items and batteries, and replace them as needed.

Food and Water Safety

Maintaining food safety and access to clean drinking water is crucial during a power outage. Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain cold temperatures. A full freezer can keep food frozen for up to 48 hours if the door remains closed, while a half-full freezer may only maintain safe temperatures for 24 hours.

Use a thermometer to check food temperatures before consuming, and discard any perishable foods that have been above 40°F (4°C) for more than two hours. For drinking water, if you’re unsure about its safety, boil it for at least one minute before use. If boiling isn’t possible, you can use unscented household bleach to disinfect water (8 drops per gallon of clear water or 16 drops for cloudy water, letting it stand for 30 minutes).

Using Electronic Devices and Power Banks

Managing and conserving power for essential electronic devices is crucial during an outage. Invest in portable power banks and keep them charged so you can extend the battery life of your devices, such as cell phones, tablets, and laptops, after you lose power.

To conserve devices’ power:

Turn off unnecessary features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and location services
Lower screen brightness
Use airplane mode when not actively using your device
Limit usage to essential communications and information gathering

Consider battery-powered chargers or solar chargers as backup options. Car chargers can also be useful if you need to charge devices during an extended outage, but be mindful of your car’s battery life. Remember, during a power outage, your home Wi-Fi won’t work, so use your cellular data sparingly to avoid quickly depleting your phone’s battery.

Protecting Your Home and Appliances

When a power outage occurs, protecting your home’s electrical system and appliances can prevent damage from potential power surges when electricity is restored. Here are some key actions to take:

Unplug sensitive electronics: Disconnect computers, TVs, and other valuable electronics to protect them from electrical surges.
Use surge protectors: For devices that must remain plugged in, ensure they’re connected to high-quality surge protectors.
Turn off major appliances: Switch off and unplug large appliances like air conditioners and water heaters to prevent overloading the system when power returns.
Leave one light on: Keep a single light switch on to alert you when power is restored.

When power returns, wait a few minutes before turning on major appliances one at a time. This gradual approach helps prevent overloading your home’s electrical system.

Special Considerations

Power outages can pose unique challenges in certain situations:

Medical devices: If you rely on electric-powered medical devices, have a backup power source ready, such as a generator or battery backup. Keep a list of emergency numbers handy, including your health care provider and medical supply company.
Garage doors: Learn how to manually operate your electric garage door. Most have a manual release lever that disconnects the door from the motorized system.
Gas-powered equipment: Keep their gas tanks at least half full, as gas stations may be closed during widespread outages. If you have a backup generator, ensure you have sufficient fuel stored safely.

Long-Term Outage Preparedness Tips

Being prepared for long-term power outages involves more than just having the right supplies on hand. Consider these preparedness strategies:

Create a family emergency plan: Discuss and practice what to do in case of extended power outages.
Know your area’s risks: Understand what types of disasters are most likely in your region and prepare accordingly.
Stay informed: Sign up for emergency alerts from your local government and utility company.
Consider backup power: Evaluate whether a portable generator or whole-house standby generator is right for your needs.
Maintain an emergency fund: Set aside money for unexpected expenses during extended outages.

For more guidance on emergency preparedness, visit ready.gov, which offers resources and tips for various disaster scenarios.

When To Seek Professional Help

While you may be able to handle many aspects of managing a power outage on your own, there are situations where professional help is necessary:

Electrical damage: If you suspect any damage to your home’s electrical system, contact a licensed electrician before attempting to restore power.
Downed power lines: Never attempt to move or work around downed power lines. Always report them to your utility company or emergency services.
Flooding: If your home has been flooded, have an electrician inspect your electrical system before turning the power back on.
Persistent issues: If you experience frequent power fluctuations or outages, consult with your utility company or an electrician to identify and address the underlying cause.

Safety should always be your top priority. When in doubt, it’s better to seek professional assistance than risk injury or damage to your home’s electrical system.

Power Outage FAQ

Here are answers to some common questions about power outages:

What Is the First Thing You Should Do When the Power Goes Out?

Check if the outage is limited to your home or affects the neighborhood. If it’s just your home, check your circuit breakers. Otherwise, report the outage to your utility company.

Should You Unplug Everything During a Power Outage?

It’s a good practice to unplug sensitive electronics and major appliances to protect them from potential power surges when electricity is restored. However, leave one light switch on to know when power returns.

How Long Do Most Power Outages Last?

The duration varies widely depending on the cause. Most outages are resolved within a few hours, but severe weather events can lead to outages lasting days or even weeks in extreme cases.

Can You Use Electrical Power During a Partial Outage?

If only part of your home is without power, it’s best to turn off all electronics and appliances in the affected areas to prevent damage when full power is restored.

Your Power Outage Action Plan

Power outages, while often unexpected, don’t have to catch you off guard. Prioritize safety by staying away from downed power lines and using caution with alternative light and heat sources. Maintain an emergency kit with essential supplies like flashlights, batteries, and non-perishable food. Protect your home by unplugging sensitive electronics to guard against power surges when electricity is restored.

Stay informed by keeping a battery-powered radio handy and signing up for utility company notifications. Think long-term by developing and regularly updating a family emergency plan for extended outages.

Preparedness is an ongoing process. Regularly review and update your emergency plans and supplies. Stay informed about potential risks in your area and adapt your preparations accordingly. Following these safety tips and preparedness strategies can minimize the impact of power outages on your daily life and ensure your and your family’s well-being.