Home Preparation Checklist in an Outage

Keep important phone numbers (fire department, paramedics, police, hospital, doctor, relatives, etc.) where they can be found easily in an emergency.
Place flashlights in handy locations where they can be found easily in an emergency, including near your bed.
Install surge protectors to help safeguard electronic equipment.
Familiarize yourself with your home’s utility boxes (electricity, water, and gas) and how to turn them off; keep the proper tools to do so handy. If necessary, post a note to help you remember how to turn them off in an emergency.
Frequently back up important work and files on your computer.
Know how to manually open your automatic garage doors or gates.
Keep the gas tank or charge level in at least one car half full at all times.
If you have a portable gas generator, identify an outdoor location where you can safely use it during a power outage, and never use it indoors.
Make a safety preparedness plan for your family, including a list and location of the above items, and a plan for meeting the special needs of infants, the elderly, those with medical needs, and family pets. Share this plan with someone outside your household.

Check Outage Status