 
POWER OUTAGES
Everyone experiences power interruptions from time to time. Many of these outages come at times of weather extremes or accompany various disasters. When the power is out, safety becomes a major concern. The following information is meant to help you when the lights go out!
- Register life-sustaining equipment with your utility company.
- Prepare a power outage kit. For short duration outages consider having glow light sticks, flashlights, a battery powered radio, extra batteries and a wind-up clock on hand.
- Make sure you have an alternate heat source and a supply of fuel.
- Remember that cordless phones do not work when the power is out.
- Consider purchasing a small generator, especially if someone in the house requires life-sustaining equipment that runs on electricity.
- Unplug computers and other voltage sensitive equipment to protect them against possible surges when the power is restored.
- Conserve water, especially if you are on a well.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. If the door remains closed, a fully loaded freezer can keep foods frozen for two days.
- Never use a charcoal barbecue inside the home. Avoid the use of candles if at all possible.
- If you use a kerosene heater, gas lantern or stove inside the house, maintain ventilation to avoid a build-up of toxic fumes.
- Leave one light switch in the on position to alert you when services are restored.
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