Getting through a power outage

Do it like this

1. Check whether it's just you. If neighbors still have lights, check your breaker panel for a tripped breaker. If the whole street is dark, report it to your utility and check its outage map. The Red Cross says that if any breakers tripped during an outage, have an electrician inspect them before you turn them back on. Source: Red Cross
2. Keep the fridge and freezer closed. An unopened fridge keeps food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer holds its temperature for about 48 hours, or 24 if it's half full. Source: Red CrossFoodSafety.gov Eat fresh, perishable food first, and move what you need into a cooler with ice if the outage drags on. Source: Red Cross
3. Unplug electronics and appliances. Power can come back with surges or spikes that damage them. Source: Ready.gov Leave one lamp switched on so you'll know when the power is back.
4. Use flashlights, not candles. Candles are a fire risk. Source: Red Cross
5. Keep fuel-burning equipment outside. Generators, camp stoves and charcoal grills go outdoors only, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages. Source: Ready.gov Never use a generator inside your home or garage, even with the doors and windows open. Source: CDC Never heat your home with a gas stove or oven. Source: Ready.gov
6. Charge your phone safely. Use a power bank. If you charge in a car, run it outside only. The CDC says never to run a car in a garage attached to a house, even with the door open. Source: CDC
7. Leave if it's too hot or too cold. Go to a community location with power if the heat or cold is extreme. Check with local officials about warming and cooling centers. Source: Ready.gov Leave too if you rely on medical devices that need power. Source: Red Cross
8. Stay away from downed power lines. Stay at least 35 feet from fallen lines and anything they touch, and call 911. Source: Red Cross Don't wade into flooded areas or use electrical equipment that may have been underwater. Source: Red Cross
9. Sort the food when the power comes back. Never taste food to decide whether it's safe. Throw out refrigerated perishables, like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, soft cheese, milk and leftovers, if they've been above 40°F for more than 2 hours. Source: FoodSafety.gov Frozen food can be refrozen if it still has ice crystals or is 40°F or below. Source: FoodSafety.gov

After the outage: keep or toss?

For refrigerated food that sat above 40°F for more than 2 hours, from FoodSafety.gov's chart. Source: FoodSafety.gov When in doubt, throw it out.

Outage kit checklist

• A flashlight for each person, plus batteries. Source: Ready.gov
• A charged power bank for your phone. Source: Ready.gov
• A battery or crank radio, and a paper list of important phone numbers. Source: Red Cross
• Nonperishable food and water. The Red Cross suggests at least two weeks if you can. Source: Red Cross
• A thermometer in the fridge and freezer, and a cooler. Source: Red Cross
• Carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup on every level. Source: Ready.gov
• Surge protectors for your electronics. Source: Red Cross
• A plan for any refrigerated medicine or powered medical device. Source: Ready.gov

If it doesn't work

• If refrigerated medicine was without power for more than a day, Ready.gov says to throw it out unless its label says otherwise, and to call your doctor or pharmacist right away for a new supply. Source: Ready.gov
• If you need to run a generator, keep it dry, plug appliances into it with heavy-duty outdoor extension cords, and let it cool before refueling. Source: Ready.gov Use a battery CO alarm inside while it runs. Source: CDC
• If your gas was shut off, only a qualified professional can turn the gas line back on. Source: Red Cross
• If you rent and the outage is only in your unit, check your breakers, then tell your landlord in writing.

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