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Power Outages

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  • Check on the elderly and those needing special assistance to ensure their safety.

  • Be extra cautious if you go outside to inspect for damage after a storm. Downed or hanging electrical wires can be hidden by snowdrifts, trees, or debris, and could be live.  Never attempt to touch or move downed lines. Keep children and pets away from them.

  • Do not touch anything power lines are touching, such as tree branches or fences. Always assume a downed line is a live line. Call your utility company to report any outage-related problems.

  • Check flashlights and portable radios to ensure that they are working and that you have extra batteries. A radio is an important source of weather and emergency information during a storm.

  • Never use a generator indoors, only outside and away from windows or doors. The exhaust from a generator contains carbon monoxide, which is deadly if it builds up in living spaces.

  • Ensure your Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors are working correctly and have fresh batteries. 

  • If you use a space heater, keep it three feet from anything that can burn.

  • Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored). During an outage, do not open the refrigerator or freezer door. Food can stay cold in a full refrigerator for up to 24 hours, and in a well-packed freezer for 48 hours (24 hours if it is half-packed). If you have medication that requires refrigeration, check with your pharmacist for guidance on proper storage during an extended outage.

  • Ensure you always have a well-stocked Winter Home Emergency Supply Kit that includes flashlights, portaa portable radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable food,a manual can opener.