Power Outage Dos and Don'ts: How to Stay Warm and Safe Without Electricity

Although they are incredibly common, power outages are almost guaranteed to disrupt our daily lives no matter what time of year we experience them.

However, for many of us a power outage can turn into an emergency, especially during the colder months when we rely on electricity for a number of important things like heat.

The Washington State Department of Health has important tips on how to prepare for no electricity and some dos and don'ts for during an outage.

Before You Lose Power

Power outages can strike at any moment, but the most devastating are usually caused by things like windstorms, lightning, earthquakes or other weather-related events.

While it's always difficult to know when you'll lose power and for how long you'll be without it, there are ways to be prepared:

• Make an emergency preparedness kit with light sticks, flashlights and a battery-powered radio
• Consider getting a generator. Be sure to keep it outside with a cord running into the home.
• Get back-up battery sources for your cellphone and other electronics especially if you do not have a landline phone so that you can still contact emergency services.
• For the colder months, consider investing in insulated sleeping bags or an alternative heating source like self-powered or battery-powered space heater.

In addition to an emergency prep kit and other tools to keep you warm, be sure you have an emergency food supply so that you stay well-fed despite having no power. Once the power is restored, and you're in doubt about whether your food is safe to eat, throw it away. If any stored meat, seafood or dairy products do not feel cold, then there could be unsafe bacteria present in the food.

During a Power Outage

While it may feel like there's nothing to do but wait for the power to come back on, there are some steps you can take to protect your electronics as well as some safety measures you need to keep in mind.

The following are some dos for when the lights go out:

• Turn off lights and electrical appliances besides the refrigerator and freezer.
• Even if it's nighttime, turn light switches to the "off" position.
• Unplug computers and other sensitive equipment to protect from power surges when electricity is restored.
• Try to conserve water, especially if you use well water. Depending on your home's water system, it may rely on pumps and/or a purification process that relies on electricity.

Here are some power outage don'ts everyone needs to know:

• Never use a gas oven, gas range, barbecue, portable or large propane heater for indoor heating. Without proper ventilation, these will use up oxygen and create carbon monoxide that can suffocate you.
• Do not use candles as a portable light source unless absolutely necessary as they area fire hazard. Flashlights and glowsticks are safer and better light sources.
• Do not use kerosene or gas-powered heaters or appliances indoors unless you have proper ventilation and a working carbon monoxide detector.
• Do not approach downed power lines and sagging trees with broken limbs on foot or in a vehicle. Power lines could still have electricity flowing through them.

While power outages can happen at any moment, it's important to be prepared.