Power Outage
Power Outages are unique because they can arise from different hazards and differ in time duration. A Power Outage can disrupt our community in the following ways:
- Disrupt our communications and transportation
- Close many essential business (grocery stores, gas stations, ATMS, banks, etc.)
- Can cause food spoilage and water contamination
- Disruption of medical devices
Because of this, it is a great idea to be always prepared for a Power Outage.
Before
- Store batteries, battery banks, and flashlights an emergency supply kit
- If you have medical equipment or medicine that are dependent on power, talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan.
- Obtain cash due to the rick of not being able to use credit or debit cards during a power outage
- Install carbon monoxide detectors
During
- To prevent food spoilage, keep freezers and refrigerators closed
- Consume food that do not require refrigeration
- If there is extreme hot or cold weather occurring, check to see if your community has a warming/cooling shelter open
- Turn off or disconnect appliances and electronics to prevent damages from electrical surges or spikes
- If information is available, stay up to date with the current power outage
After
- When in doubt, throw it out! Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two or more hours. Also throw away foods that has an unusual odor, color, or texture
- Throw away any medication that relied on refrigeration
Additional Resources
Ready.gov - Power Outages