Power Outage Guide

What to Do During a Power Outage

Immediate Steps

• Check if your neighbors also lost power — if only your home is affected, check your breaker panel
• Report outages to your power company
• Unplug sensitive electronics to prevent surge damage when power returns
• Use flashlights, not candles

Food Safety

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible
• A full freezer will hold its temperature for about 48 hours
• A half-full freezer will hold for about 24 hours
• Discard any perishable food that has been above 40°F for more than 2 hours

Heating and Cooling

• Never use a generator, grill, or camp stove indoors — carbon monoxide kills
• If using a wood stove or fireplace, ensure proper ventilation
• In summer, stay hydrated and move to a cooler location if needed
• Check on elderly and vulnerable neighbors

Medical Needs

• If you rely on powered medical equipment, have a backup plan
• Keep medications that require refrigeration in a cooler with ice
• Call 911 for any medical emergency