A power outage is when the electrical power goes out. While there are several reasons for power outages, severe weather events like high winds, wildfires, and winter storms are common reasons for power outages. Planned grid outages may be used for maintenance purposes or as a safety precaution during wildfire season. During wildfire season, electric providers may turn off electricity in wildfire high risk areas during a severe weather event.
Prepare for a Power Outage
- Stay informed. Update your contact information with your electricity provider to receive notifications during an emergency or when a planned grid outage is scheduled.
- Develop an emergency plan. Keep phone numbers of your support network in your phone and on a piece of paper, and nearby in case you need to evacuate. Create a plan for any pets or livestock. Share your plans with close family and friends and share with them any help you may anticipate needing. Keep a list of people who may need to be checked on during a power outage.
- Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Test alarms monthly and replace batteries at least twice a year.
10 Tips to Prepare for a Natural Disaster
Now is the time to create an emergency plan to share with your healthcare providers, family and friends.
During a Power Outage
- Notify your electric company about the power outage.
- Exercise caution when using alternatives to electric power:
- Heating: Use woodstoves, gas heating stoves, and fireplaces to heat your home, but only if they are vented properly to the outside. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Do NOT use a kitchen gas range, oven, portable camping stove, gasoline, or diesel- powered generator to heat your home. Burning gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal produces carbon monoxide and other air hazardous air pollutants that quickly build up inside buildings.
- Cooking: Outdoors is the only safe place to use generators, grills, camp stoves or any gasoline or diesel-powered engines.
- Watch for symptoms: Wheezing, shortness of breath, or difficulty taking a full breath, dizziness, nausea, confusion, disorientation are signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Leave the area and seek medical attention immediately.
- Keep the gas tank full in your car for if you must evacuate. Listen to your local or state officials and leave if you are advised to do so.
Durable Medical Equipment and Power Outages
- Contact your local electric company, fire, and police departments and let them know you require electricity to use home medical equipment such as supplemental oxygen, a CPAP, ventilator, or nebulizer.
- Have more than one back-up plan as an option. These include asking others to check in on you and registering for a Special Needs Shelter or community shelter. Ask if these shelters can support your medical needs for prolonged outages.
- Consider purchasing a back-up power source in the event of a power outage. A generator that runs outdoors can be used to provide emergency electricity during a power outage. Another option may be an inverter which allows you to charge batteries through your car’s cigarette lighter or 12-volt port.
- Ask your electric and insurance company if there are assistance programs to help you purchase a backup power source.
- Take time to learn about your home medical equipment. Read the instructions and ask your medical equipment provider any questions about back-up power source options for your equipment. Keep a record of the make, model, and serial number of your medical devices. Place this information in one location with the instruction manuals for your equipment.
Page last updated: July 12, 2024
