Preparing For a Power Outage
Keep these items on hand -
Flashlight
Batteries
Portable radio
At least one gallon of water
A small supply of food
Due to the extreme risk of fire, do not use candles during a power outage
If an Outage is Likely Due to Weather or Other Factors
Medication – If you use medication that requires refrigeration check with your physician or pharmacist about safe use in a power outage. An unopened refrigerator can go several hours without a significant temperature increase.
Computers – Keep files and operating systems backed up regularly. Turn off all computers, monitors, printers, copiers, scanners and other devices when they’re not being used. If the power goes out, this equipment will have already been safely shut down. Get a high quality surge protector for all of your electronic equipment.
Garage Door Openers – If you have an electric garage door opener, find out where the manual release lever is located and learn how to operate it. If you regularly use the garage as the primary means of entering your home be sure to keep a key to your house accessible in case the garage door will not open.
Cordless Telephones – Cordless phones require electricity to work. Keep a corded telephone or full charged cell phone available for communication.
Remote Technology and Other Services – Servers for computer networks may not operate when the power is out where these systems are located. So even if you have power, your access to remote technology may be interrupted if the power that serves those areas is disrupted. Check with remote service providers to see if they have backup power systems, and how long those systems will operate.
Gas for Your Car – Keep your tank at least half full. Gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.
Conserve Energy – Follow energy conservation measures to keep the use of electricity as low as possible. This can help SELCO avoid imposing rolling blackouts in extreme conditions.
Special Information for People with Disabilities
If You Use a Motorized Wheelchair or Scooter – Keep an extra battery on hand. A car battery also can be used with a wheelchair but will not last as long as a wheelchair’s deep-cycle battery. If available, store a lightweight manual wheelchair for backup.
If you are Blind or Have a Visual Disability – Store a talking or Braille clock or large-print timepiece with extra batteries.
If You are Deaf or Have a Hearing Loss – Consider getting a small portable battery-operated television set. Emergency broadcasts may give information in American Sign Language (ASL) or open captioning.
