Information And
Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ)

Information is your greatest safety measure

The following questions and answers are designed to provide useful information to better help you prepare for and react to a power outage. It is a good idea to print this page and place on a highly visible spot, such as your refrigerator door.

Q. What should I gather to prepare for an outage?

A. Make sure you have emergency supplies in a place you can easily find them. Items include flashlights and batteries, a battery-operated radio, a manual can opener and canned food.

Q. What should I know before a power outage?

A. Know the location of the fuse box or circuit breaker in or outside of your home. Learn how to reset a tripped circuit or change a blown fuse. Practice manually opening electric garage doors and gates so you can do it safely and easily during an outage.

Q. How should I treat my appliances?

A. Use a surge protector to protect electrical items like your computer, TV and DVD player. This could help prevent a sudden surge of electricity from damaging them.

Q. If the weather is cold outside, what should I do during a power outage?

A. If it begins to cool down in your home, cover windows with blankets or cardboard to help prevent drafts. Identify the most insulated room in advance; that's where you and your family can best stay warm.

Q. How should I set my thermostat during an outage?

A. Turn your thermostat to low and turn off the circuit breaker for your water heater. This will reduce a high demand for electricity when the power returns, and help prevent an overload that can cause the circuit breaker to trip again.

Q. What should I do with my lights during an outage?

A. Set all of the lights in the off position except for one. Leaving one light on will let you know when electricity has been restored.