Safely Prepare for Power to Return After an Outage

Safely Prepare for Power to Return After an Outage

by Brian Kearney

There has been a lot of focus on the news regarding what to do in case of a power outage and how to prepare for one. The state of Massachusetts recently experienced a widespread outage and I'd like to share some tips about how to remain safe once power is restored.

1.) Anticipate a power surge. When power returns there is often a surge beforehand. In order to protect electronics, especially expensive items like televisions and laptops, you should make sure they are connected to a surge protector.

2.) Double check your refrigerator. Some circuit breakers will trip off during a power outage and if they aren't manually switched back on you could end up losing your entire refrigerated food supply. Your refrigerator should remain at 40 degrees or below while your freezer should remain at zero degrees or below.

3.) Take extreme caution when you inspect exterior damage. Downed electrical wires can be hidden by debris, leaves, and snow. Always assume power lines are live and never touch trees or fences that may be in contact with a live wire. It's easy to get frustrated by a power outage and damage to your home but to be safe you should always wait for professional help.

4.) Turn off appliances. If you leave your home while the power is out make sure you unplug or turn off all appliances that might have been in use when you lost power. This includes items like the stove, iron, and blow dryer. 

5.) Replenish your emergency kit. Many residents in Massachusetts have lost power for an extended period of time twice in the past two months. Make sure to restock your emergency kit each time you use it! Experts recommend a three day supply of water, non-perishable food, and medication.