Now that the first day of fall is upon us, it is time to start thinking about the weather changing. The fall season brings heavy rains, thunder and lightning storms, and high winds that can all range from mild to severe.
During a severe fall storm, it is not uncommon for the power to go out. When this happens, the power company works hard to identify the problem and get the power back on as soon as possible. But, in the meantime, you and your family could be without power in some very cold weather. Here are some tips for you to follow if you find yourself without power this fall:
- When there is a power outage, there is no need to call 9-1-1, unless there is an emergency in your home. Instead, you can contact the power company, who typically will have a pre-recorded message giving you as much information as possible about the outage and when the power could possibly come back on. This helps you and your family to plan what steps you will take next. If you have small children or, elderly members of your family, you might consider going to stay elsewhere if the power is expected to be out for several hours.
- Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer as much as you can. To keep the food inside cold or frozen, it is important to trap the cold inside for as long as you can. If the power is out for longer than two hours, the food in your refrigerator should be discarded and replaced.
- The hot water in your water heater tank will stay hot for a few hours even after the power goes out. This is a good time to take a bath or shower and get warm. However, avoid doing this if there is a lightning storm outside.
- Unplug your television, stereos, computers, and other electrical appliances. When the power comes back on, there could be an electrical surge, which will damage these items. You can leave a light on in your home, so that you will know when the power is restored.
Do not use kerosene heaters, BBQ grills, or any other outdoor heat sources inside of your home. These items create toxic gasses which can cause serious injury to you and your family if you breathe them. Stay calm during a power outage, use flashlights, and make sure everyone in the home is dressed warm. The power company will work hard to get the power restored as soon as they can.