A power outage can create driving hazards, including out-of-service streetlights, and there may be emergency or repair vehicles on the road.

If you’re driving during an outage, here are some tips to stay safe:

• Be extra cautious. Watch for vehicles and pedestrians. Stop at all intersections and treat all out-of-service traffic lights as four-way stops.
• Don’t drive tired. Stay put or pull over.
• Limit cellphone use. Give the road your full attention, especially during an outage.
• Be aware of others. Dark roads and non-working traffic lights can lead to unexpected conditions, such as drivers on the wrong side of the road or hard-to-see pedestrians.
• Know your route. If cell service is down, navigation functions may not work.
• Carry emergency cash. Credit cards may not work during outages.
• Charge your electric vehicle. If you need to charge your EV during an outage, you can find options on plugshare.com. 

If the power goes out while you’re in an elevator, it will automatically stop. Here is what you can do to get help:

• Press the “Open” button. If you’re near a landing when the elevator stops, the door will open when you hit the button. Exit the elevator carefully, as it may not be level with the landing.
• Press the “Alarm” or “Help” button. Emergency personnel will respond within several minutes. Some elevators have a two-way speaker system or phone, but you may not be able to make outgoing calls. Emergency personnel should call when they arrive.
• Stay calm. Call for help or bang on the elevator door every few minutes to get attention.
• Wait for help. Never try to exit through partially open doors or a ceiling service door. Wait for trained emergency personnel to arrive. The elevator may get warm, but there is enough air circulating inside. 

Perishable foods in your refrigerator and freezer may not be safe to eat after an  outage, depending on how long the power was out and outdoor temperatures. Take these steps to make sure your food is still safe to eat, once the power returns.

• Keep the refrigerator closed, opening it only when necessary. An unopened refrigerator can keep foods cold enough for several hours. Placing blocks of ice inside will also help keep food fresh longer. Check food carefully for signs of spoilage before consuming.
• Draw the line at 40 degrees. Perishable foods should not be kept above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours.
• Coolers and ice chests. If the outage lasts more than two hours, transfer dairy products, meats, fish, poultry, eggs and leftovers into a cooler with ice. A separate cooler can be packed with frozen items.
• Non-perishable items such as canned goods, dry goods and powdered or boxed milk can be eaten cold or warmed on a grill.
• Leave a light on when you go to bed. It will alert you when the power returns, allowing you to check on the condition of your food.
• If you were away during the outage, first determine how long the power was out. Use a quick-response thermometer to check the internal temperature of perishable foods in your refrigerator — discard any item above 40 degrees. If power is restored within 24 hours and your freezer is fairly full, frozen items should be safe to consume. If the refrigerator was without power for more than 24 hours, it’s best to dispose of all perishables. 

If a circuit in your home overloads or experiences a short, the breaker will trip and shut off power. This helps prevent fires and possible electric shock. If your power is restored to your neighborhood after an outage, but not all power returns to your home, resetting the breaker can restore power to the affected room(s).

How to Reset Circuit Breakers

1. Turn off all light switches and unplug appliances in rooms that have lost power.
2. Find your circuit breaker box and open the cover. Inside, you’ll see small switches, often labeled by room such as "kitchen" or "bathroom."
3. Look for the tripped breaker — it will be the one in the "off" position or the middle position between "on" and "off."
4. If it isn’t already, move the switch to the full "off" position, then back to "on." This should clear any overload and return power to the room.
5. If the breaker trips again, it may be caused by too many devices plugged in (such as lamps and appliances), a damaged cord or plug, a short-circuit in a fixture or outlet, or faulty wiring. Be sure to identify and fix the cause.

Notes and Warnings

• Only reset a breaker when you've corrected the problem. If a breaker trips repeatedly, call an electrician.
• Most breakers display an orange flag when they are tripped.
• If your home uses fuses instead of circuit breakers, follow the same steps for finding the blown fuse. Make sure to replace it with a new one of the same amperage.
• When resetting a breaker, use only one hand and stand to the side to avoid electrical arcing in case of a malfunction.
• Working with electrical systems can be dangerous. If you're unsure of any aspect of the job, call a qualified electrician. 

Here are some suggestions and tips to help you navigate through outages when working or learning from home.

1. Set up a cellphone Wi‐Fi hotspot.
   1. Contact your provider to find out if your cellphone can be used as a hotspot and whether any additional charges apply.
   2. Set Up Your Own Internet Hotspot.
   3. How to Use Your Android Phone as a Wi-Fi Hotspot
   4. How to Turn Your Phone Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot
2. Secure a temporary alternate location with Wi‐Fi, such as a family or friends' home or a local city facility.
3. Check with your school or workplace to see if they offer a temporary site in the event of emergency.
4. Check with your school district, work or local library to see if they loan Wi‐Fi hotspots.
5. Online learning and meeting platforms can be accessed from a mobile device, such as cellphone or tablet with a cellular subscription.
6. Be prepared for the unexpected by keeping your devices fully charged at all times.
7. If you have a backup power source available, such as a portable power station or generator, you can use it to power or charge your electronic devices. For a list of products and potential rebates, please visit: https://marketplace.sce.com/.
8. Sign up to receive outage notifications via phone, text or email by logging into your account and updating your contact information in My Account.