Protect Yourself During a Power Outage

11/11/2020 (Permalink)

Power Outages

Extended power outages may impact the whole community and the economy. A power outage is when the electrical power goes out unexpectedly. A power outage may:

• Disrupt communications, water and transportation.
• Close retail businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, ATMs, banks and other services.
• Cause food spoilage and water contamination.
• Prevent use of medical devices.

PROTECT YOURSELF DURING A POWER OUTAGE:

• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
• Use a generator, but ONLY outdoors and away from windows.
• Do not use a gas stove and ovens to heat your home.
• Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
• Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
• If safe, go to an alternate location for heat or cooling.
• Check with your local officials for locations of cooling or warming centers. Locations may have changed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• CDC has provided cooling shelter operators with guidance to help protect people from COVID-19. This guidance can be used for warming shelters, too.
• If you go to a public cooling or warming center, keep at least six feet of space between you and individuals who are not a part of your immediate household.
• Wear masks when in public spaces. Masks should not be worn by children under 2 years old, people who have trouble breathing, and people who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove them.
• Try to bring items that can help protect you and others in the cooling or warming center from COVID-19, such as two masks for each person age two or older in the household, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol, and cleaning materials.
• Review the CDC’s guidelines for “Going to a Public Disaster Shelter During the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
• Be a good neighbor. Check on the welfare of others.
• Sign up for email updates about coronavirus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Follow the latest guidelines from the CDC and your local authorities to prevent the spread of COVID-19.