Tips to Stay Safe: Power Outages and Electrical Surges

Many have learned the hard way that you should air on the side of pre-caution and make sure your home is prepared for a power failure or an electrical surge – a sudden increase in voltage that can damage your home’s electrical components. It never hurts to be prepared and to know what to do once the lights go out; a power outage can be a major disturbance.

Preparing Prior

• Install a home backup generator.
• Establish a place for flashlights, a battery-powered radio and extra batteries.
• Set aside extra water and buy or make extra ice.
• Make sure the battery in your smoke detector is fresh.
• Test the smoke detector on a monthly basis to make sure it’s working.
• Keep an appliance thermometer in the freezer. If the freezer is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder when the power returns, all the food is safe.

Staying Safe

• If possible, use flashlights instead of candles for emergency lighting.
• Turn off or disconnect any appliances or electronics that were on when the power went out.
• Leave one light on so you know when the power returns.
• Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer to help keep your food as fresh as possible.
• Never use a generator indoors or in attached garages; the exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide.
• Listen to the radio for updates.