What to do in case of a power outage

Weather, accidents, and storms can disrupt electricity. Sometimes, the power flickers for a moment and then returns.

Severe damage to power lines and the electrical grid can result in outages lasting days or even weeks.

Short-term power outages:

Don't panic! Check if your neighbors still have power.

If so, the problem might be inside your home.

Check your main fuses or circuit breakers to see if they've blown or tripped.

Replacing a fuse or resetting a circuit breaker can restore power.

If that's not the problem, contact an electrician.

Unplug appliances with electronic components, such as microwaves, TVs, and computers.

This will help eliminate damage to your appliances from a power surge when power is restored.

Wait a few minutes before turning on these appliances when power is restored.

This will reduce the demand on the electricity provider's electrical system.

Long-term power outages:

If you use a backup generator, make sure it is installed and connected correctly.

If installed incorrectly, the generator can create dangerous conditions for technicians who will be working to restore power.

Your generator may be damaged when power is restored if a double-throw disconnect switch is not used and installed correctly.

Of course, it's also important to ensure a fresh supply of fuel is available to operate the generator and stored properly.

To help manage the crisis, keep an adequate supply of the following items on hand at all times.

They should be stored in a cool, dry place and all family members should know where to find them.

• Flashlights
• Battery-operated radio
• Candles
• Extra batteries for flashlights and radio
• Basic first aid supplies
• Small amount of drinking water and food
• Baby supplies if there is a baby in the house

Periodically check the basement for flooding/water. You can use a portable gas pump to pump out the basement or crawl space when the electric sump pump is out of power.

Never enter a flooded basement unless sump pumps, freezers, etc., are disconnected.

Never approach downed power lines; let qualified personnel from the electricity provider handle these situations.

Summer power outages:

Keep freezers and refrigerators closed to keep food fresh. Frozen foods are generally safe to eat if they still have ice crystals.

Wrap blankets around appliances to provide additional insulation.

Bottled water, canned soft drinks, and juices eliminate reliance on the refrigerator if kept in a cool place.

Air conditioners should be turned off during a power outage.

Do not restart them for several minutes after power is restored.

Wear comfortable clothes and use natural ventilation to keep your home cool.

Your electricity provider should be informed if you use life-support equipment in your home.

Winter power outages:

Move to a single room, preferably one with few windows. Ideally, this room should be on the south side of the house for maximum heat during the day.

The room should be insulated from the rest of the house and can be equipped with a fireplace, wood stove, or another alternative heat source.

If using another heat source, make sure to follow operating instructions. For example, if you use a kerosene heater, proper ventilation is a must.

All combustible materials should be stored outside the house for safety reasons.

Wood stoves and fireplaces should be properly maintained year-round to avoid problems when needed in emergencies.

One of the main concerns in winter is preventing water pipes from freezing. A small stream of water can be left running to avoid this.

This is not a practical solution when water comes from a well. Insulating water pipes is a permanent method.

Refer to the extended outages and home shutdown section for how to drain water lines in your home.

In most rural areas, electricity is needed to pump water into the home.

Since it's impossible to pump water during a power outage, keep adequate drinking water on hand at all times.

As in summer, people with health problems should be taken to a health complex, community organization, or another place where their needs can be met.

Extended power outages / Home shutdown:

Unplug everything in your home. Turn off circuit breakers or remove fuses. If there is an extended power outage, you may want to leave a light circuit on so you know when power returns.

Empty all food from freezers and refrigerators and leave the doors open.

Food can be taken to neighbors who have electricity or to a food pantry. Dry ice can also be used for a short time.

The easiest solution might be to take the food out if the temperature is cold enough.

If your home has an electric heat pump, care should be taken when starting the unit after a prolonged outage.

It takes some time to heat the lubricant in the refrigerant.

This is about one and a half hours per ton of cooling capacity. This can vary from brand to brand, and contacting the distributor can avoid problems.

During the compressor preheating period, you should use auxiliary heaters or emergency heaters for the heat pump to warm the house.

Keep curtains closed except for south-facing windows in winter when the sun is shining.

This will provide passive solar heat during the day. Curtains should always be closed at night.