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Blackouts

Blackouts

Blackouts | Get a Blackouts Kit | Make a Plan


Usually, rolling blackouts occur when power usage increases, especially during hot weather when many people are using air conditioning to keep cool. Power companies try to give a warning when they will turn off power to an area, but they can not always do that.

Prepare Your Home

  • Fill plastic containers with water, leaving about an inch of space inside each one for the frozen water to expand. Place the containers in the refrigerator and freezer. This chilled or frozen water will help keep food cold for several hours if the power goes out.

  • If you use medication that requires refrigeration, most can be kept in a closed refrigerator for several hours without a problem. If unsure, check with your physician or pharmacist.

  • Back up computer files and operating systems. Consider buying extra batteries and a power converter if you use a laptop computer.

  • Turn off all computers, monitors, printers, copiers, scanners and other electronic devices when they are not being used.

  • Get a high-quality surge protector for your electronic equipment.

  • If you have an electric garage door opener, find out where the manual release lever is located and learn how to operate it.

  • If you have a telephone at home or at work that requires electricity to work (such as a cordless phone), plan for alternate communication, including having a standard telephone handset, cellular telephone, radio or pager.

  • Keep your car fuel tank at least half full because gas stations rely on electricity to power the pumps.

  • Remember that equipment such as automated teller machines (ATMs) may not work during a power outage, so make sure you have extra cash at home.

  • Know if you live in an area that has rolling blackouts. A rolling blackout occurs when a power company turns off electricity to selected areas to save power. The blackouts are typically for one hour, then the power is restored and another area is turned off. Hospitals, airport control towers, police stations, and fire departments are often exempt from these rolling blackouts. They can happen at any time of day and may affect the same area more than once a day.

  • Find out how to keep food safe during and after and emergency by visiting: http://www.foodsafety.gov

Facts about Blackouts

  • Rolling blackouts are controlled outages used by power companies to keep the electricity supply and load in balance.

  • They can last one to four hours, depending on the severity of the situation and the outside temperature.

  • The term "rolling blackouts" refers to shifting curtailments between sets of customers to protect the integrity of the entire electrical system

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