Create a preparedness plan for you and your family.
Make sure everyone is familiar with it. The plan should include what to do in case the power is out for an extended time.
Prepare a list of emergency phone numbers.
Include fire, police, ambulance and our power trouble phone number so you can report any outages.
Have an emergency kit handy.
Store it in an easy-to-find location that is accessible in the dark. Check regularly to make sure the kit is well stocked and that all equipment is in good working order. The kit should be well-stocked and all equipment should be in good working order (check your kit yearly and be sure to replace old batteries).
Consider back-up power. Do you have equipment in your home that you need to access at all times? If so, you may want to consider what methods of back-up power would work best for you.
Home generators can be useful during a power outage but they can also be very dangerous if they are not used properly. Always follow all manufacturers' instructions and contact a qualified electrician or electrical inspector if you have questions. Never use portable generators, barbeques, or propane/kerosene heaters indoors.
Ensure you have a back-up battery for medical equipment. If you have any medical equipment that depends on electricity, make sure that back-up devices are in working order.
Secure your home.
- Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your home if you're going to be away on vacation.
- Keep an additional battery for your home security system on hand.
- Protect your electronics and use surge protectors for your computers, TVs, etc.
- If you need to leave your home during an outage, ensure any heat-producing devices are turned off. This includes lights in your home (except one inside and one outside).
Keep a spare cell phone battery or a portable charger in your home so that you can ensure your cellphone has battery during the outage. Cordless landlines plugged into an electrical outlet will not work during an outage.
Familiarize yourself with your garage door manual. If you have an electric garage door opener, locate the emergency release handle and learn how to manually operate the door without power.