Most people take electrical power for granted, never thinking about whether it will be there when they need it. While a power outage can mostly be a temporary inconvenience, if prolonged it can pose some hazards. You can minimize the problems and safety hazards of an outage by following these suggestions to protect your family and home.
Plan Ahead
Don’t wait for a power outage to buy emergency supplies, be prepared and have everything you need on hand. If your power goes out, it’s likely you could find the store shelves raided and empty during a power outage. It is a good idea to purchase emergency home kits and store them in a general area in your home so you won’t be searching for needed supplies in the dark in an emergency. While most power outages are short-lived, but some may last days. Here are some things to consider for a long-term outage.
Stock up on:
• Matches and disposable lighters.
• Flashlights and extra batteries. It is recommended you not use candles unless necessary to avoid fire risks.
• Battery operated radio and extra batteries
• Canned goods and dry food mixes. Water and juices. Don’t forget the hand-operated can opener
• Special items for infants, the elderly or family members with special needs and prescription medications
• Paper plates, cups and plastic utensils.
• First-aid kit
• Fire Extinguisher
What to do during an outage
• Turn off or disconnect any appliances, equipment (like air conditioners) or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, it may come back with momentary "surges" or "spikes" that can damage equipment such as computers and motors in appliances like the air conditioner, refrigerator, washer, or furnace.
• Make sure the oven and stove are off; this will prevent fires if the power comes back on while you’re away. Do not set dishes, towels, or paper on the stove; these may catch on fire if a burner is on when the power comes on.
• Never touch downed power lines or attempt to remove trees from power lines. Contact with power lines may result in serious injury or death. Report any downed lines to your power company and leave the clean up and repair work to the professionals
•Leave the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep your food as fresh as possible. If you must eat food that was refrigerated or frozen, check it carefully for signs of spoilage. See the Red Cross brochure called, "Help The Power Is Out" for more information on food safety during an outage.
•Use the phone for emergencies only. Listening to a portable radio can provide the latest information. Do not call 9-1-1 for information -- only call to report a life-threatening emergency.
Top Safety Tips for A Blackout
• Only use a flashlight for emergency lighting. Never use candles!
• Turn off electrical equipment you were using when the power went out.
• Do not run a generator inside a home or garage.
• If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a generator to a home's electrical system.
• Listen to local radio and television for updated information.
Additional Preparedness Tips
• If you use electrically powered life-support equipment, ask your doctor about emergency battery backup systems.
• Protect sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers, televisions and other devices, with surge suppressors.
• Make sure you know how to safely reset your circuit breaker or change fuses. Keep extra fuses on hand.
• If a well is your source for water, plan ahead to determine how you will get drinking water. Store containers of water for cooking and washing.
• If you have an electric garage door opener, find out where the manual release lever is located and learn how to operate it. Sometimes garage doors can be heavy, so get help to lift it. If you regularly use the garage as the primary means of entering your home upon return from work, be sure to keep a key to your house with you, in case the garage door will not open.
Power outages are one of the most common emergencies that occur. They can be caused by storms, accidents in which power lines are knocked down, circuit overloads, etc. Power failures can last for an extended period of time or for a brief moment, but no matter the length of time, they cause a disruption in everyday life. Take the time to prepare for a power outage and to gain the knowledge needed to respond safely and effectively during the emergency. A few simple preparations can greatly reduce the inconveniences caused by a power outage.
For a list of more safety tips from Albuquerque's local power/utility suppliers, call or email me today
Linda DeVlieg
505-440-7200
www.RealEstateInABQ.com
Most people take electrical power for granted, never thinking about whether it will be there when they need it. While a power outage can mostly be a temporary inconvenience, if prolonged it can pose some hazards. You can minimize the problems and safety hazards of an outage by following these suggestions to protect your family and home.
Plan Ahead
Don’t wait for a power outage to buy emergency supplies, be prepared and have everything you need on hand. If your power goes out, it’s likely you could find the store shelves raided and empty during a power outage. It is a good idea to purchase emergency home kits and store them in a general area in your home so you won’t be searching for needed supplies in the dark in an emergency. While most power outages are short-lived, but some may last days. Here are some things to consider for a long-term outage.
Stock up on:
• Matches and disposable lighters.
• Flashlights and extra batteries. It is recommended you not use candles unless necessary to avoid fire risks.
• Battery operated radio and extra batteries
• Canned goods and dry food mixes. Water and juices. Don’t forget the hand-operated can opener
• Special items for infants, the elderly or family members with special needs and prescription medications
• Paper plates, cups and plastic utensils.
• First-aid kit
• Fire Extinguisher
What to do during an outage
• Turn off or disconnect any appliances, equipment (like air conditioners) or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, it may come back with momentary "surges" or "spikes" that can damage equipment such as computers and motors in appliances like the air conditioner, refrigerator, washer, or furnace.
• Make sure the oven and stove are off; this will prevent fires if the power comes back on while you’re away. Do not set dishes, towels, or paper on the stove; these may catch on fire if a burner is on when the power comes on.
• Never touch downed power lines or attempt to remove trees from power lines. Contact with power lines may result in serious injury or death. Report any downed lines to your power company and leave the clean up and repair work to the professionals
•Leave the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep your food as fresh as possible. If you must eat food that was refrigerated or frozen, check it carefully for signs of spoilage. See the Red Cross brochure called, "Help The Power Is Out" for more information on food safety during an outage.
•Use the phone for emergencies only. Listening to a portable radio can provide the latest information. Do not call 9-1-1 for information -- only call to report a life-threatening emergency.
Top Safety Tips for A Blackout
• Only use a flashlight for emergency lighting. Never use candles!
• Turn off electrical equipment you were using when the power went out.
• Do not run a generator inside a home or garage.
• If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a generator to a home's electrical system.
• Listen to local radio and television for updated information.
Additional Preparedness Tips
• If you use electrically powered life-support equipment, ask your doctor about emergency battery backup systems.
• Protect sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers, televisions and other devices, with surge suppressors.
• Make sure you know how to safely reset your circuit breaker or change fuses. Keep extra fuses on hand.
• If a well is your source for water, plan ahead to determine how you will get drinking water. Store containers of water for cooking and washing.
• If you have an electric garage door opener, find out where the manual release lever is located and learn how to operate it. Sometimes garage doors can be heavy, so get help to lift it. If you regularly use the garage as the primary means of entering your home upon return from work, be sure to keep a key to your house with you, in case the garage door will not open.
Power outages are one of the most common emergencies that occur. They can be caused by storms, accidents in which power lines are knocked down, circuit overloads, etc. Power failures can last for an extended period of time or for a brief moment, but no matter the length of time, they cause a disruption in everyday life. Take the time to prepare for a power outage and to gain the knowledge needed to respond safely and effectively during the emergency. A few simple preparations can greatly reduce the inconveniences caused by a power outage.
For a list of more safety tips from Albuquerque's local power/utility suppliers, call or email me today
Linda DeVlieg
505-440-7200
www.RealEstateInABQ.com
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