During a power outage, keep freezers and refrigerators closed. Pack dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, refrigerated medicines and other items that can quickly spoil in a cooler surrounded by ice to extend their usability.
Keep all electronics fully charged. Have extra batteries ready for flashlights and radios. Avoid candles that can cause house fires.
Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
More information about power outages can be found online at ready.gov/power-outages.
Garage doors
Garage doors can be manually opened during a power outage. Ensure the door is not locked and there is nothing preventing it from opening.
Unplug the power source to the garage door.
Pull the red emergency cable release cable to open and close the garage door.
Traffic Safety
To stay safe while driving, be prepared for possible delays and use caution when driving.
If the power goes out at a stoplight, then treat the intersection as a four-way stop and everyone should come to a complete stop before proceeding.
Right-of-way: if intersections have no signage or signals, drivers should yield to traffic on their right and to cars already crossing the intersection.
Drinking Water
Water purification systems may not be functioning when the power goes out, so water may be unsafe to use. Drink and use water that has been bottled, boiled or treated with iodine tablets and a filtration system.
Other Disasters and Emergencies
Other Disasters and Emergencies
Visit Ready.gov for more preparedness information, to include:
Order preparedness materials that will be shipped directly to you at no cost.
Two-sided information sheets on how to prepare for, keep safe during and respond to hazard, such as:
