Outage Quick Tips

Supplies to Keep on Hand

We work hard to keep the power flowing, but sometimes Mother Nature has other ideas. You might consider having the following supplies handy in case of an outage or emergency:

• A flashlight with a supply of fresh batteries
• A portable, battery-powered radio so you can keep up with news
• A telephone that does not depend on electricity. Cordless phones will not function during an outage
• A supply of easy-to-prepare, nonperishable foods. This includes packaged snacks, fruits and bottled water and juices
• A wind-up or battery-operated clock
• A first aid kit
• A manual can opener

Steps to Consider

If someone in your household uses life support equipment, make arrangements for a back-up power supply

• Know how to manually release and open any electric doors, like garage doors
• Find out the steps needed to take to open and close security gates
• Consider investing in added protection for your computer with an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) unit. Check with your computer manufacturer or store where you purchased your computer to make sure the UPS is compatible with your computer
• To prevent food spoilage, keep your refrigerator doors closed as much as possible. Food should always stay frozen for approximately one day, and fresh in the refrigerator for approximately 4 hours
• You can add dry ice to the freezer to help keep food frozen. Be sure not to handle dry ice with your bare hands because it can cause skin irritations. Also, place the dry ice on a piece of cardboard and never directly on top of the food
  

Emergency Preparedness Kit

Warmth and Shelter

• Water-Proof Matches
• Emergency reflective blankets
• 6' Tin foil for cooking

Light Sources

• Flashlight
• Batteries -stored separately
• Two Light sticks

Safety

• First Aid Kit
• Bottle of Potassium iodide tablets for purifying water
• Sunscreen

Food

• Bottled Water
• Beef Jerky sticks (3 per day each)
• Canned vegetables
• Canned fruit
• Canned Soup
• Dried Fruit
• Energy Bars
• Packages of hot chocolate

Personal needs

• Soap or anti-bacterial liquid soap
• Toothbrushes and gel, or baking soda
• Small shampoo
• Toilet paper
• Sanitary napkins (good for large wounds)

Communications

• A battery-powered AM/FM radio with batteries stored separately
• Whistle with neck cord

Tools

• Pocket knife
• Shovel (foldable ones are available in many dept stores in camping supplies)
• Sewing kit
• Fifty feet of nylon rope and clothespins
• Fishing line and hooks

Important Papers

• Copies of birth certificates, marriage license, will, insurance forms and genealogy records
• Phone numbers you might need
• Credit card information
• Up-to-date photos of each family member

Miscellaneous

• Money
• Phone Card
• Small can opener
• Paper Plates and cups, Plastic silverware
• Garbage bags