Power Outages
When an electricity outage occurs, preparation is your best defense. There are also things you can do to reduce the risk of injury or illness when the power goes out, especially if it's for an extended period of time.
If the power goes out due to a hurricane, learn how to prepare and what to do with these smart Hurricane Tips.
Power Distribution Devices in Your Home
In order to properly react to an electrical outage, it’s helpful to understand which devices in your home distribute power. Electrical power distribution is a system of electricity transmission and regulation. Energy enters your home’s wiring system through a main electrical line and is transmitted through the various circuits in your home. Circuit breakers are among the most important energy-distribution components found in modern homes. They’re designed to protect your wiring from power surges and overheating by switching off in the event of an electrical surge.
What to Do When the Power Goes Out
There’s never a good time for the power to go out. It can occur when you least expect it. It’s important you know what to do when the power goes out, especially when the outage is extended and access to basic functions like heating and refrigeration are affected. Here are key steps you should take to help ensure your safety and the safety of your family during a power outage.
- Find out whether the power outage is only within your home or if it's affecting others in your community so you can make the most effective plan of action.
- Unplug any major appliances or electronics like TVs or the oven to avoid power surge damage once the power is restored. Sensitive devices should be on surge protectors to prevent damage if you can't unplug them in time.
- Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as long as possible so your food stays cold.
- Check on elderly neighbors and those with special needs.
- Call the utility company to report the outage.
- During winter storm power outages, dress in layers to stay warm.
- Use battery-powered lights such as flashlights instead of candles, which pose a fire hazard.
- Leave one light plugged in with the switch on so that you can tell when the power is restored.
- Conserve your phone battery by limiting your use to essential communications.
A power outage is the perfect opportunity to use a standby generator or a portable generator.
During a power outage, safety should be your first concern. Never bring a grill indoors to use as a source for heat. Grills produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas that can cause poisoning or even death.
Don't run a generator indoors. For more information, read How to Use a Portable Generator.
What to Do Once the Power Is Restored
- When the power comes back on, wait a few minutes before plugging everything back in as you could encounter power surges. Turn on essential appliances first and then gradually turn on other electronics.
- Reset digital clocks, timers, alarms, network routers and other essential items.
- If you operated your garage door opener manually using the emergency release cord, you’ll need to reconnect the door to the opener. See the manufacturer’s instructions for details.
- If your HVAC won’t turn on after a storm, you may need to restart it. Some units require you to turn off the thermostat, reset the circuit breaker and wait a period of time before restarting the system. Other models may require some other combination of steps or may feature a reset button. If you have any doubts or if the circuit breaker shuts off again after resetting it, call a professional. For breaker box tips, see our video What’s in My Breaker Box?
Power Outage Safety
- If the power outage was the result of a storm, flood or other natural disaster, check your property for damage. Report any fallen power lines. Don’t touch or go near any downed lines.
- Clean up any debris.
- Don’t use any water-damaged electrical outlets, appliances or circuit breaker boxes until they’ve been checked by a professional.
- Avoid electrical shocks from flooded basements or rooms.
- Check your yard for fallen trees or limbs. A gas or electric chainsaw can help you quickly dispose of stray timber. See How to Use and Maintain a Chainsaw and Chainsaw Safety for help.
- For more tips, check out How to Clean Up After a Hurricane, Tornado or Flood.
Food Safety
- Check food in your refrigerator and freezer, and discard any questionable or spoiled items. Don’t be misled by the food’s appearance and never taste the food to determine if it’s safe.
- If certain food has been exposed to temperatures of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher (4 degrees Celsius) for three or more hours, harmful bacteria can develop so you should toss them out. This is especially true of eggs, meat, fish, poultry, soft cheeses and most dairy products.
- If food in the freezer has begun to defrost, cook it right away or throw it out. Food that still has crystals can be refrozen. Typically, a full freezer of food will stay frozen for 48 hours if you don’t open the door. If the freezer is only half full, that number drops to 24 hours.
Plan for Future Power Outages
This power outage may have caught you by surprise, but you can be ready for the next one. It’s always best to be proactive. Here are things you can do to cover anticipated outages:
- Keep your mobile devices charged and have a portable charger or power bank on hand to recharge your cell phone.
- Some power companies send newsletters in the form of emails to update or inform customers before severe weather hits. Join your utility company’s mailing list to stay up to date on weather emergencies and stay alert.
- Replace any items in your emergency and first aid kits. Your emergency kit should contain flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered radio and non-perishable food.
- If you live in an area frequently impacted by severe weather or if you rely on a well for your water, consider investing in a generator. See Why Own a Generator for more information.
- If you rely on a well for your water and you don’t own a generator or have a backup water storage tank, ensure you have plenty of bottled water on hand. If possible, fill the sinks and tubs with cold water, too.
- Develop an emergency plan that includes a list of emergency contacts, an evacuation route and how you'll receive emergency warnings and alerts.
- Install surge protectors before the power goes out.
- Depending on the season, know the location of your community’s cooling centers if there’s a summer power outage, or keep extra blankets handy during a winter outage.
- A sump pump is a must-have if you live in a flood zone. Check out our Sump Pump Buying Guide to learn more.
For more tips on storm preparedness, including a list of emergency kit essentials, see How to Prepare for a Hurricane.