Be Disaster Ready, California

Power Outage Quick Tips:

• Planning ahead for power outages is the best way to ensure everyone’s safety until the lights come back on.
• During times of extreme weather, power may be shut off by your power company for public safety and to protect communities.
• Sign up for alerts through your energy company so you can be notified about power shutoffs. If you use electric medical and assistive devices, be sure to enroll in a medical baseline program to ensure you receive notification of upcoming or current power shutoff events.

• If you use electric medical and assistive devices, create a personal disaster plan with family and caregivers for how to meet your needs during a power outage.
• Get flashlights or lanterns with extra batteries, and surge protectors for sensitive devices. Do not use candles or oil lanterns for light.
• Keep phones and backup batteries fully charged.
• Have access to a battery-powered radio for news.
• Have freezer packs, ice, and a cooler ready to keep food and medicine cold.
• If you have an electric garage door, learn how to use the manual release lever.
• Know where your circuit breakers and fuse boxes are and how to check them.
• Have phone numbers written down in case of an emergency.

• Report downed power lines to 9 – 1 – 1 and your utility. Keep people and pets away. Don’t drive over downed power lines. If one touches your car, stay away.
• Turn off everything that was on before the outage. Leave one light on that you will see when power is back.
• Unplug sensitive electronic equipment if you do not have surge protectors.
• Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home. Don’t use a grill inside for cooking food.
• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary.
• Use a generator outside only, at least 20 feet from doors and windows. Indoors, its poisonous exhaust can kill in minutes.
• Go to a community location with power if heat or cold is extreme. In extended outages, call your local county to find shelter locations. Public shelters serve everyone and cannot ask for ID. Some shelters may better serve people with disabilities or pets.
• Check if neighbors, friends, or family have power and ask if you can come there – or offer your home if you have power and others don’t.