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Safety Information
for Power Outages
What is a "Rolling
Blackout?"
A
rolling blackout occurs when a power company turns off
electricity to selected areas to save power. The areas are
selected using sophisticated computer programs and models. The
blackouts are typically for one hour, then the power is
restored and another area is turned off. Hospitals, airport
control towers, police stations, and fire departments are
often exempt from these rolling blackouts. These blackouts
usually occur during peak energy usage times, usually between
4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on weekdays, but they can happen at
any time of day. Blackouts may affect the same area more than
once a day, and may exceed an hour's duration.
How Do I Find Out
if My Area Will Have a Rolling Blackout?
Listen to local television, radio,
and check the web site of your power company. Usually, rolling
blackouts occur when power usage increases, especially during
hot weather when many people are using air conditioning to
keep cool. Power companies try to give a warning when they
will turn off power to an area, but they can not always do
that.
Top Safety Tips for a
Blackout
-
Only use a
flashlight for emergency lighting. Never use candles!
-
Turn off electrical
equipment you were using when the power went out.
-
Avoid opening the
refrigerator and freezer.
-
Do not run a
generator inside a home or garage.
-
If you use a
generator, 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.
-
Listen to local
radio and television for updated information.
How Can I Prepare Before
a Blackout Happens?
Assemble essential supplies,
including:
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Flashlight
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Batteries
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Portable radio
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at least one gallon
of water
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a small supply of
food.
-
Due to the extreme
risk of fire, do not use candles during a power outage.
If you have space in
your refrigerator or freezer, consider filling plastic
containers with water, leaving about an inch of space inside
each one. (Remember, water expands as it freezes, so it is
important to leave room in the container for the expanded
water). Place the containers in the refrigerator and freezer.
This chilled or frozen water will help keep food cold if the
power goes out, by displacing air that can warm up quickly
with water or ice that keeps cold for several hours without
additional refrigeration.
If you use medication
that requires refrigeration, most can be kept in a closed
refrigerator for several hours without a problem. If unsure,
check with your physician or pharmacist.
If you use a
computer, keep files and operating systems backed up
regularly. Consider buying extra batteries and a power
converter if you use a laptop computer. A power converter
allows most laptops (12 volts or less) to be operated from the
cigarette lighter of a vehicle. Also, turn off all computers,
monitors, printers, copiers, scanners and other devices when
they're not being used. That way, if the power goes out, this
equipment will have already been safely shut down. Get a high
quality surge protector for all of your computer equipment. If
you use the computer a lot, such as for a home business,
consider purchasing and installing an uninterruptable power
supply (UPS). Consult with your local computer equipment
dealer about available equipment and costs.
If you have an
electric garage door opener, find out where the manual release
lever is located and learn how to operate it. Sometimes garage
doors can be heavy, so get help to lift it. If you regularly
use the garage as the primary means of entering your home upon
return from work, be sure to keep a key to your house with
you, in case the garage door will not open.
If you have a
telephone instrument or system at home or at work that
requires electricity to work (such as a cordless phone or
answering machine), plan for alternate communication,
including having a standard telephone handset, cellular
telephone, radio, or pager. Remember, too, that some voice
mail systems and remote dial-up servers for computer networks
may not operate when the power is out where these systems are
located. So even if you have power, your access to remote
technology may be interrupted if the power that serves those
areas is disrupted. Check with remote service providers to see
if they have backup power systems, and how long those systems
will operate.
Keep your car fuel
tank at least half full because gas stations rely on
electricity to power their pumps.
Follow energy
conservation measures to keep the use of electricity as low as
possible, which can help power company(ies) avoid imposing
rolling blackouts.
Specific
Information for People With Disabilities
If you use a battery-operated
wheelchair, life-support system, or other power-dependent
equipment, call your power company before rolling blackouts
happen. Many utility companies keep a list and map of the
locations of power-dependent customers in case of an
emergency. Ask them what alternatives are available in your
area. Contact the customer service department of your local
utility company(ies) to learn if this service is available in
your community.
If you use a
motorized wheelchair or scooter, have an extra battery. A car
battery also can be used with a wheelchair but will not last
as long as a wheelchair's deep-cycle battery. If available,
store a lightweight manual wheelchair for
backup.
If you are Blind or
have a visual disability, store a talking or Braille clock or
large-print timepiece with extra batteries.
If you are Deaf or
have a hearing loss, consider getting a small portable
battery-operated television set. Emergency broadcasts may give
information in American Sign Language (ASL) or open
captioning.
Using a
Generator
If you
are considering obtaining a generator, get advice from a
licensed professional, such as an electrician. Make sure the
generator is listed with Underwriter's Laboratories or a
similar organization. Some municipalities, Air Quality
Districts, or states have "air quality permit" requirements. A
licensed electrician will be able to give you more information
on these matters. Always plan to keep the generator outdoors
-- never operate it inside, including the basement or garage.
Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring. The
safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to
power directly to the outlets on the generator. Connecting a
cord from the generator to a point on the permanent wiring
system and backfeeding power to your home is an unsafe method
to supply a building during a power outage.
For more information
about using generators safely, see the Generator
fact sheet.
What Do I Do
During A Blackout?
Turn off or disconnect any
appliances, equipment (like air conditioners) or electronics
you were using when the power went out. When power comes back
on, it may come back with momentary "surges" or "spikes" that
can damage equipment such as computers and motors in
appliances like the air conditioner, refrigerator, washer, or
furnace.
Leave one light
turned on so you'll know when your power returns.
Leave the doors of
your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep your food as
fresh as possible. If you must eat food that was refrigerated
or frozen, check it carefully for signs of spoilage. See the
Red Cross brochure called, "Help
The Power Is Out" for more information.
Use the phone for
emergencies only. Listening to a portable radio can provide
the latest information. Do not call 9-1-1 for information --
only call to report a life-threatening emergency.
Eliminate unnecessary
travel, especially by car. Traffic signals will stop working
during an outage, creating traffic congestion.
Remember that
equipment such as automated teller machines (ATMs) and
elevators may not work during a power outage.
If it is hot outside,
take steps to remain cool. Move to the lowest level of your
home, as cool air falls. Wear lightweight, light-colored
clothing. Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel
thirsty. If the heat is intense and the power may be off for a
long time, consider going to a movie theater, shopping mall,
or "cooling shelter" that may be opened in your community.
Listen to local radio or television for more information. Get
more tips on the preparing for a heat
wave.
Remember to provide
plenty of fresh, cool water for your pets.
If it is cold
outside, put on layers of warm clothing. Never burn charcoal
for heating or cooking indoors. Never use your oven as a
source of heat. If the power may be out for a prolonged
period, plan to go to another location (relative, friend, or
public facility) that has heat to keep warm.
Energy Conservation
Recommendations
To conserve power
to help avoid a blackout, the power industry recommends:
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In heating season,
set the furnace thermostat at 68 degrees or lower. In
cooling season, set the thermostat at 78 degrees or higher.
Consider installing a programmable thermostat that you can
set to have the furnace or air conditioning run only when
you are at home. Most power is used by heating and cooling,
so adjusting the temperatures on your thermostat is the
biggest energy conservation measure you can take.
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Turn off lights and
computers when not in use. This is especially true about
computer monitors - avoid using a "screen saver" and just
simply turn the monitor off when you won't be using the
computer for a while. Turn the computer off completely each
evening. It is no longer true that computer equipment is
damaged from turning it off and on.
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Close windows when
the heating or cooling system is on.
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Caulk windows and
doors to keep air from leaking, and replace old windows with
new, energy-efficient windows.
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Clean or replace
furnace and air-conditioner filters regularly.
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When buying new
appliances be sure to purchase energy-efficient models.
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Wrap the water
heater with an insulation jacket, available at most building
supplies retailers.
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If you have to wash
clothes, wash only full loads and clean the dryer's lint
trap after each use.
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When using a
dishwasher, wash full loads and use the "light" cycle. If
possible, use the "rinse only" cycle and turn off the "high
temperature" rinse option. When the regular wash cycle is
done, just open the dishwasher door to allow the dishes to
air dry.
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Replace
incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact
fluorescent lights.
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Use one large light
bulb rather than several smaller ones.
For More
Information
If you
would like more information about rolling blackouts and how to
deal with them, contact the power company that serves your
area.
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