Here’s what you need to know about preparing for a power outage during a winter storm or one of PG&E’s public safety power shutdowns during California wildfire season.
During wildfire season, PG&E has said it could shut down electricity in high-risk areas for up to “multiple” days if the risk of sparking power lines could cause wildfires. Here are some tips from PG&E and others to help you deal with a power outage no matter when it happens.
Before a power outage
- Make a safety plan for every member of your household, including pets. Identify a backup location where you can go and an emergency meeting spot.
- Update your contact information with PG&E at pge.com/mywildfirealerts to get alerts about power shutdowns. If your contact information isn’t updated, the utility will use what it has on file.
- Plan for your medical needs, including medications that need to be refrigerated, and power-dependent devices. Talk to your doctor about what you should do, and make sure PG&E knows about any medical devices.
- Keep a hard copy of emergency phone numbers, and identify a backup method for charging your cellphone.
- Make sure you know how to manually open your garage door.
- Have an emergency kit with food, water, a flashlight, batteries, a battery- or crank-powered radio, a charged cellphone, first aid, clothing, medications, cash, credit cards and important documents. Include toys, books and games for children, and have a fueled-up vehicle.
- Freeze water in plastic jugs to place in your refrigerator or freezer once the power goes out.
- If you live in a building with elevators or electronic key-card access, talk to your building manager about how they would deal with a multi-day outage.
- Consider a backup power source, such as a generator, and make sure it’s ready to operate safely.
- Identify multiple people who know how to operate your equipment and backup systems.
During an outage
- Unplug or turn off appliances, equipment and electronics to avoid damage from surges when power is restored.
- Leave a single lamp on so you’ll know when power returns. When power is restored, turn on appliances one at a time.
- Consider using coolers with ice to keep food cold and safe. A refrigerator typically will keep food cold for about four hours, and a full freezer will keep its temperature for about 48 hours if doors to the appliances are kept closed.
- Check on your neighbors.
- Only use generators, camp stoves or charcoal grills outdoors. Don’t use a gas stove for heat.
After an outage
- Depending on how long the power was out, you may need to discard food that was in your refrigerator or freezer. Here’s a list of types of food and whether you should save it or throw it out.
- Don’t forget to reset clocks, thermostats and other programmed equipment after power is restored.
Source: Pacific Gas & Electric
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