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After an Outage

  • Tips

    Quick Tip
    If your smoke detectors are electrically operated, consider buying some units with batteries as a backup.

Safety Tips

  • Stay well away from downed power lines and keep pets and children clear too. Report downed lines immediately to 1 800 663-6272.
  • Assume all cables and wires are energized and stay well away from them.
  • Do not go near electrical equipment around areas of standing water, like a flooded basement.
  • Once your refrigerator and freezer are operating, carefully check food for spoilage. Generally, food will keep for 24 to 48 hours, as long you keep the door closed.
  • If the outage lasted less than four hours, allow your electrical system a chance to stabilize. Turn on the most essential appliances one by one and wait 30 minutes before reconnecting others.
  • Reset electric clocks, automatic timers and alarms.