1. Keep your family members safe and comfortable
Make sure your family members know what to do when the power goes out. Family members are at risk of extreme cold or heat and storm dangers. Gather everyone into the part of your home that is most comfortable; in winter that is an inside room with few windows or doors that let in drafts. Dress appropriately, drink plenty of water and eat carefully to avoid foodborne illnesses. Give extra consideration to infants, toddlers, older people and those with medical conditions.
2. Use flashlights for lighting
If your power goes out at night, you will likely want some source of light quickly. Candles are a traditional choice, but they introduce the risk of fire. Flashlights and battery-operated lights and lanterns are a safer alternative.
3. Turn off or unplug your appliances
In prioritizing what to do in a power outage, start with protecting your expensive appliances and electronics. It doesn’t matter if the power is out for minutes or days, the risk of damage is the same.
4. Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed
The next thing in considering what to do in a power outage is to protect your perishable food. Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
