Prepare

Prepare and get help

Most outages are short. Some last for days. A little planning makes either one safer. This page sums up official safety guidance and points you to the people who can actually help.

First, know your utility

Your delivery utility is the company that fixes outages. Find its name on your bill. Then save its outage reporting phone number and its outage map link somewhere you can reach without power or internet, such as on paper or in your phone's contacts. Many utilities also offer outage text alerts for your account.

Find your utility by state

Before an outage

• Build a basic kit. Flashlights, extra batteries, a battery or hand-crank radio, a first aid kit, and enough water and food that needs no cooking for several days. Avoid candles if you can, because of fire risk.
• Keep devices charged. Charge phones before a storm. A charged battery pack helps.
• Plan for medicine and medical devices. Ask your doctor how long your medicines can go without refrigeration. Ask your equipment supplier how long devices can run on battery. Ask your utility whether it offers a medical or life-support registry. Being on a registry does not guarantee faster repair, so keep a plan to go somewhere with power.
• Know where to go. Think about a friend, relative or public place with power you could go to in extreme heat or cold.
• Learn how to open your garage door by hand if it is electric.
• Install carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup on every level of your home.
• Watch the weather. Check the National Weather Service forecast when storms, heat or cold are coming.

During an outage

Report it

Report your outage to your utility by phone, text, app or website. Do not assume a neighbor has done it, and do not assume an empty outage map means the utility knows. This site cannot report an outage for you.

Stay away from downed lines

Treat every fallen wire as live and dangerous. Stay far back, keep children and pets away, and never drive over a downed line. Call 911, then tell your utility. If a line falls on your car while you are inside, stay in the car unless it is on fire, and wait for help.

Use generators safely

Generator exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a gas you cannot see or smell that can kill within minutes.

• Only run a generator outdoors, far from doors, windows and vents.
• Never run one inside a home, garage, basement, shed or crawl space, even with the door open.
• Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. This can send power back into the lines and injure line workers or neighbors. Use heavy-duty extension cords, or have an electrician install a proper transfer switch.
• If you feel dizzy, sick or weak, get to fresh air right away and call 911.

Never use a gas stove, oven, grill or camp stove to heat your home.

Keep food safe

Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as you can. A closed refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours. A full freezer holds its temperature for about two days, and a half-full one for about one day. When in doubt, throw it out.

Handle heat and cold

• In heat: drink water, stay in the coolest part of your home, and go somewhere with air conditioning if you can. Check on older neighbors and people who live alone.
• In cold: wear layers, close off unused rooms, and use blankets. Go somewhere warm if your home gets too cold.

Protect your equipment

Unplug sensitive electronics and appliances to protect them from a surge when power returns. Leave one light switched on so you know when it is back.

After the power returns

• Check refrigerated and frozen food. Throw out food that got too warm or smells or looks unusual.
• Plug appliances back in a few at a time.
• If your neighbors have power and you do not, report it to your utility again. Your home may have a separate problem.
• Restock your kit, and note what you wished you had.

Official guidance

• Ready.gov: Power outagesFederalFEMA's guide to preparing for and getting through a power outage.
• National Weather ServiceFederalOfficial forecasts, watches and warnings for your location.
• Centers for Disease Control and PreventionFederalHealth guidance, including carbon monoxide poisoning and extreme heat and cold.
• FoodSafety.govFederalWhat to keep and what to throw out after an outage.

This page sums up general guidance. It is not medical or legal advice. Follow instructions from your utility, local officials and emergency services first.