Power Outage Checklist
Power outages range from mildly inconvenient to life-threatening. Damage to nearby power lines can knock your electricity out for a few hours, while a natural disaster can put neighborhoods out of commission for days. You never know when a car will hit or a tornado will touch down, so it's a good idea to be prepared at all times. Here's a checklist of safety information you need to know to stay safe during a power outage, including what you need in a medical kit, how to determine if food is safe to eat, and more.
What to Have on Hand
You need a basic emergency kit in the event your power is out for several days. Store your kit somewhere that's easily accessible and, if you live in earthquake or tornado territory, sufficiently sturdy.
- Contact information. Keep a paper copy of the addresses and phone numbers of family members, friends, doctors and any other important contacts.
- Water. You should have enough water on hand so that each person in your home gets one gallon per day. Since it's hard to predict the length of a power outage, try to store enough for at least a week.
- Flashlights and batteries. Use flashlights instead of candles or lanterns. The latter two increase your risk of a fire. Also make sure you have the right batteries available. Check your supply periodically to make sure the batteries haven't expired.
- First-aid kit. A simple kit should have bandages, gauze, disinfectant, cotton balls and swabs, antibiotic cream, latex gloves, tweezers, scissors, a cold pack and a breathing barrier for administering CPR.
- Radio. Have a hand-crank or battery-powered radio on hand and set to your nearest NOAA Weather Radio station.
- Cell phone and chargers. A power pack will extend the life of your cell battery. Keep your cell charger on you in case you find a working outlet.
- Nonperishable food. Store a week's worth of dry and canned goods for each person in your home. Also, don't overlook simple things like a can opener and disposable plates and silverware.
- Medication. Keep a 7-day supply of medication and any necessary tools like syringes and disinfecting swabs. If your medication needs to be refrigerated, have frozen cold packs and a small ice chest somewhere easily accessible.
What to Do
The most important thing to remember during a power outage is to stay calm. Use your radio or smartphone to check the news periodically for any updates.
- Determine the size of the power outage. Look outside at the streetlights or ask your neighbors if their power is out. If the issue is within your home, check your fuses or circuit breaker. If not, call your electric company for general outage information. If you have a smartphone, check the company's website for a power outage map to see how widespread the problem is. Don't forget to ask for an estimate on when power will be restored or, in the case of a major disaster, when rescue crews will arrive.
- Unplug appliances and electronic devices. Electrical spikes and surges can damage your equipment when power is restored to your home.
- Open refrigerator doors as little as possible. This keeps the cool air inside and preserves your food.
- Keep curtains closed in the winter. Close your curtains to trap as much heat in your home as possible. If you have south-facing windows and the sun is shining, keep the curtains open to let warmth in.
- Notify rescue crews and your electric company if anyone in your home requires life-saving equipment that uses electricity. This ensures your home gets high priority.
What Not to Do
These basic safety tips help keep you and your family from getting sick.
Don't eat food reading higher than 40F.
- Eat old food. Food in your refrigerator or freezer is generally safe for up to four hours. However, if the power outage lasts for two hours or more, check the food with a thermometer and throw away anything reading higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. When deciding what to eat, start with what's in the refrigerator, then head to the freezer.
- Use generators indoors. Generators, grills and camp stoves all produce carbon monoxide. Only use these items outdoors and away from windows. Also, install battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms throughout your residence.
- Use contaminated water. Wait until you receive official confirmation that the water from your tap is safe to drink before using it for bathing, drinking, washing dishes, preparing food, making ice or mixing baby formula. If necessary, use bottled water or boil some from your tap for one minute. As a last resort, you can disinfect water with chlorine dioxide tablets, iodine or household chlorine bleach. The Environmental Protection Agency has details on how to safely disinfect contaminated water.
Use this safety checklist as a guide to help you and your loved ones during a power outage. Knowing what to do will help you stay calm and keep everyone as comfortable as possible.