Power outages can happen during hurricanes, thunderstorms, heat waves, or grid problems. Preparing ahead can make outages safer and easier to manage.
Before an Outage
- Charge phones, tablets, and power banks.
- Freeze water bottles to help keep food cold.
- Have flashlights ready.
- Use battery lanterns instead of candles when possible.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
- Know where your manual garage door release is.
- Write down important phone numbers.
Food and Cooling
- Keep a cooler available.
- Move important cold items to the cooler only when needed.
- Do not repeatedly open the refrigerator or freezer.
- When in doubt, throw unsafe food out.