When The Power Goes Out

Safety Issues

Circuit Breakers -- If your power goes out, check your home's circuit breakers or fuses first. Your power could be out because a circuit has tripped or a fuse has blown.

Report Electrical Outages -- See if the lights in your neighborhood are off. Contact PG&E at 800-743-5002 for information or to report an outage.

Downed Power Lines -- If you can see any power lines on the ground, stay at least 10 feet away from them as electricity might still be flowing through the lines.

Sensitive Appliances -- Protect appliances from possible power surges when electricity is restored. Once a blackout is announced, unplug appliances and computers, if possible, and turn off lights. Leave one low wattage incandescent light on so you know when the power comes back on.

Keep Food Cold -- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to help prevent food spoilage. Refrigerated foods should remain safe to eat for four hours. Food in a closed freezer can stay frozen for up to two days. If in doubt, throw it out.

Dry Ice -- Add dry or block ice to the freezer to help keep food frozen. Never add dry ice with your bare hands or place directly on top of food.

Water -- Discontinue non-essential water usage. Do not drink cloudy or dirty water. Don't be alarmed if chlorine level is higher than normal. Notify water officials of low or no water pressure.

Stay Cool -- During hot days, stay cool indoors with windows open, and drink plenty of water.

Check on Neighbors -- Be a good neighbor. Check on neighbors with special needs: the elderly, mobility-impaired, medically dependent or children who are home alone.

Life Support Equipment -- If someone in your household uses life support equipment, make arrangements with the provider or your doctor for a back-up power supply. In addition, all hospitals are required to have back-up power. Medically dependent persons without adequate back-up power can call 911 for transport to a hospital where power can be supplied until the outage is over.

Alternate Power -- Establish independent, short-term power supplies such as battery-operated devices for most needs. Since planned outages are of short duration, plan to forego activities that require power until the outage is over. Use caution when using a generator. Safe and legal fuel strage requires careful planning. If you must use a generator, NEVER plug it into any electric outlet in your home. Plug appliances directly into the generator using heavy-duty extension cords.Be sure to place the generator outdoors and away from windows, household exhaust fans or dryer vents.

Monitor Radio and Television -- Monitor battery operated radio or television for current information on the outage.

Telephones -- Be sure that you have at least one telephone that does not depend on electricity in case you need to call 911. Cordless phones will not function during an outage. Keep your cell phone powered up.

Candles -- If you use candles for lighting, place them on a fireproof surface.

Fireplace -- If you use your fireplace for heat, be responsible! Don't burn wood with paint or stain. Do not leave an open flame. Make sure you close your fireplace screen to prevent sparks from flying. Do not store newspapers, kindling, or matches near the fireplace.

Smoke Detectors -- Make sure you have smoke detectors in appropriate rooms. Change the batteries regularly, preferably every six months, and test them monthly. If your smoke detectors are wired directly into the electrical system of your home, they will not operate during a power failure unless the batteries are working. Special smoke detectors are available for people with hearing impairment.

Fire Extinguisher -- Have a fire extinguisher available and know how to use it. Hve a fire evacuation plan and practice fire drills.

Garage Door -- Know how to manually release and open any electric doors, like garage doors.

Traffic Signals -- During an area-wide power outage, traffic signals may be out. If so, remember the intersection becomes a four-way stop. Anticipate long traffic delays where the power is out.

Keep Cash on Hand -- Keep cash and coins on hand. In power failures, ATM's and gas station pumps may not work and you may need to make a phone call at a pay phone.

Avoid Peak Energy Periods -- Try to conserve electricity between the hours of 5 - 9 AM and 4 - 7 PM.

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