WHAT TO DO WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT

When the power goes out due to a storm, homeowners should take the following steps:

Check for safety hazards: First and foremost, make sure everyone in the home is safe. Next, check for any safety hazards such as downed power lines, fallen trees, or flooding that could pose a danger. If your lights are flickering, or if you see any sparks, stay away from that area as well as any puddled water on the floor.

Turn off major appliances: Turn off major appliances like air conditioners, heaters, and water heaters to prevent damage from power surges when the power is restored. Find your breaker box and quickly turn off all electricity to affected areas until an electrician can address it.

Unplug electronics: Unplug all electronic devices to prevent damage from power surges when the power is restored.

Conserve food and water: Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to conserve food, and use bottled water or boil water if necessary. If you have a water filter, now is the time to use it as often as possible to ensure any excess minerals or bacteria may not harm you if your city water lines have been affected.

Use backup power sources: If available, use backup power sources like generators or battery-powered devices to power essential devices such as medical equipment, lights, and communication devices. Conserve fuel as best as possible. In affected areas, you will find it much more difficult to obtain fuel in your nearby stations.

Stay informed: Listen to local news and weather reports to stay informed about the storm and any updates about power restoration. Keep your phones charged in case you need emergency personnel to assist you, or if anyone needs your assistance.

Report the outage: Contact the utility company to report the outage and receive updates on power restoration. After major storms, restorations can vary. But stay patient and know that it will get better.

It's important for homeowners to have a plan in place for power outages, including stocking up on emergency supplies like flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, and water.