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Preparing for an outage

POWER OUTAGE SAFETY

Be prepared before the lights go out

Most power outages will be over almost as soon as they begin, but some can last much longer. Power outages are often caused by freezing rain, sleet storms and/or high winds which damage our power lines and equipment. Cold snaps or heat waves can also overload our electric power system.

During a power outage, you may be left without heating/air conditioning, lighting, hot water, or even running water. If you only have a cordless phone, you will also be left without phone service. If you do not have a battery-powered or crank radio, you may have no way of monitoring news broadcasts. In other words, you could be facing major challenges.

You can greatly lessen the impact of a power outage by taking the time to prepare in advance. You and your family should be prepared to cope on your own during a power outage for at least 72 hours.

People with disabilities or others requiring assistance

Consider how you may be affected in a power outage, including:

  • Your evacuation route – without elevator service (if applicable).
  • Planning for a backup power supply for essential medical equipment.
  • Keeping a flashlight and a cell phone handy to signal for help.
  • Establishing a self-help network to assist and check on you during an emergency.
  • Enrolling in a medical alert program that will signal for help if you are immobilized.
  • Keeping a list of facilities that provide life-sustaining equipment or treatment.
  • Keeping a list of medical conditions and treatment.
  • If you live in an apartment, advise the property management that you may need assistance staying in your apartment or that you must be evacuated if there is a power outage. This will allow the property manager to plan and make the necessary arrangements on your behalf.
Sign up for outage alerts

Get outage alerts to receive notifications when an outage has been reported at your address, and get ongoing updates as the status of your outage changes. Sign up for alerts from your SmartHub account, or give us at 970.945.5491 and we’ll do it for you.