After an Outage

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 97771.
  • 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.