Summer storms can cause unexpected power outages that can last anywhere from a few minutes to several days. Fairfax County offers theses practical tips to stay prepared and keep you and your family safe and comfortable when the lights go out.
Before the Lights Go Out
Having an emergency kit ready with essentials will help ease the stress of an outage. This includes flashlights and headlamps instead of candles, which can start fires. Make sure everyone knows where to find them and keep extra batteries handy.
Your kit should include:
- One gallon of water per person per day
- Nonperishable food that doesn’t need cooking
- Flashlights and extra batteries (safer than candles)
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- First aid supplies and medications
- Personal items like toilet paper and hand sanitizer
- Pet supplies if needed
- Comfort items for children
Food, Medicine, and Carbon Monoxide Safety During a Power Outage
You should keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Your refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer keeps food frozen for up to 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if you need to and throw out any food that’s been above 40 degrees for more than two hours.
If you rely on powered medical devices or refrigerated medications, talk with your doctor about backup plans before an emergency happens. Know how long your medications can safely stay unrefrigerated and have backup power sources ready if needed.
The county also advises that you never use generators, camp stoves or grills inside your home or garage. These produce deadly carbon monoxide gas. Always use them outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows. Don’t try to heat your home with a gas stove or oven. Make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup installed on every level of your home.
Stay Connected, Know When to Leave, and Check on Your Neighbors
You can sign up for Fairfax Alerts and should keep your radio handy for emergency updates. Have a paper copy of important phone numbers and check on family members or neighbors who might need help.
And sometimes staying at home during an outage isn’t safe. If your home becomes too hot or cold, or if you have urgent medical needs, go to a community location with power, such as a cooling or warming center. Be sure to watch for downed power lines that might be hidden by debris. Never touch or move them, and keep children and pets away. Report any dangerous situations to your power company.
Lastly, it’s always wise to check on elderly neighbors or those with special needs during an outage, especially during extreme temperatures. A quick visit might make a big difference for someone who needs help.
Feature image courtesy Serhii/stock.adobe.com
