Cold temperatures can cause safety concerns during a power outage. The Safe Electricity program provides the following tips to help you and your family know what to do when it is cold outside and the power goes out:
- Dress warmly. Several layers of clothing provide better insulation than a single layer of heavier clothing.
- Move to a single room, preferably one with few windows. Ideally, this room should be on the south side of the home for maximum heat gain in the daytime. The room should be shut off from the rest of the house and could be one with a fireplace, wood stove, or other alternate heat source.
- If you use an alternate heat source, be sure and follow operating instructions. For example if you use a kerosene heater, adequate ventilation is a must. All fuels should be stored outside of the home for safety reasons. Wood stoves and fireplaces should be maintained properly throughout the year to prevent problems when they are needed in an emergency.
- A primary concern in winter is keeping water pipes from freezing. A small stream of water can be left on to prevent this. This is not a practical solution when water is supplied from a well. Insulating the water pipes is a more permanent method.
- In some rural areas electricity is required to pump water into the home. Since water cannot be pumped during a power outage, keep an adequate supply of drinking water on hand at all times.
- Consolidate your resources with neighbors. They might have heat and electricity in their homes. People with health problems should be taken to a church, community agency, or other location where their needs can be met.
- Your electricity supplier should be notified if you use life support equipment in your home. Most power suppliers keep a priority list based on the homes in which life support systems are in use. They will try to restore the power to these homes as quickly as possible.
For more information, visit SafeElectricity.org.
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