What to do if you lose power
HARRISBURG – With the impending winter storm forecast to impact Southeast Pennsylvania and other portions of the state with snow and high winds, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) provided tips for those residents who may lose electrical power.
When the lights go out, people should:
• Call your utility company. Don’t expect that others in your neighborhood have already called. Your utility company can provide you with the most up-to-date information on when to expect power to be restored.
• Check on elderly neighbors and those with special needs who might need additional assistance.
• Use a phone that does not require electricity to work. Remember, a cordless phone won’t work without electricity. Cable and VoIP service may not work. However, customers should familiarize themselves with their in-home equipment and locate the battery backup that will allow for a 911 call, if needed.
• Keep cellular phones charged. A cellular phone or corded phone on a landline may work if you are using traditional phone service.
• Turn off lights and electrical appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer. When power comes back on, it may come back with momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can damage equipment. After you turn the lights off, turn one lamp on so you will know when power is restored. Wait at least 15 minutes after power is restored before turning on other appliances.
• Only use a flashlight or battery-operated lanterns for emergency lighting. Do not use candles.
• Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer. Food can stay cold for a couple of hours if the doors remain closed. For longer outages, plan to place refrigerator and freezer items in coolers with ice. If in doubt, throw it out. The state Department of Agriculture has more information on food safety.
• Do not run generators inside a home or garage. Connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a generator to a home’s electrical system. Generators also should not be run near any open windows or other areas where carbon monoxide may travel into the home, such as air vents.