Here are some tips to stay safe if you loose electricity and to prepare for future power outages:
- Include power outages in your family disaster plan, identifying alternative means of transportation and routes to home, school and /or work.
- Keep extra cash on hand since an extended power outage might shut down automatic teller machines or banks.
- Keep your car fuel tank at least half-full, since gas stations rely on electricity to power the pumps.
- During a power outage, resist the temptation to call 911 for information. That's what a battery-powered radio is for.
- Turn off all lights but one, to alert you when power resumes.
- Keep a supply of flashlights, batteries and a battery-powered radio on hand. Don't use candles as they pose a fire hazard.
- Don't run a generator inside a home or even in the garage. Use gas-powered generators in well-ventilated outdoor areas only.
- Connect only individual appliances to portable generators.
- Don't plug emergency generators into electric outlets or hook them directly into your home's electrical system ---- as they can feed electricity back into the power lines, endangering you and line workers.
- Power may come back with momentary surges or spikes that can damage equipment such as computers and appliances, including the air conditioner, refrigerator, washer or furnace.
Source: The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes
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