University of Illinois Extension
Plan ahead to ride out prolonged power outages
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[January 29, 2021]
Winter can bring beautiful days for taking brisk walks, admiring the
fresh snowfall, or creating snow angels. Winter’s fury can also
produce icy roads, sub-zero wind chills, and power outages.
“Unfortunately, heavy snow and accumulating ice can easily bring
tree limbs down on power lines, cutting off power to homes and
businesses,” says Erin Hollinshead, executive director of Safe
Electricity. “Even melting ice can be a problem because it can cause
power lines to sag from the added weight.
“Planning for future outages brought on by severe winter conditions
can make riding out a prolonged power outage safer and a little more
comfortable,” Hollinshead advises.
How long it takes for your power to be restored depends on several
factors: the extent of the storm’s destruction, the number of
outages in your area, and when it becomes safe for utility personnel
to get to the affected areas.
Take steps to help keep your family safe and comfortable during a
winter storm long before one is forecast. A good way to start is to
put an emergency kit together. Safe Electricity suggests starting
with these items:
-
Water: Stock up on bottled water for consumption. FEMA
recommends storing at least one gallon per person, per day.
-
Food: Have at least enough food, including non-perishable
packaged or canned foods, juices, special foods for infants or
the elderly, and snack foods, for three to seven days.
-
Utensils: Without electricity, be sure you have a manual can
opener, paper plates, and plastic utensils.
-
Layers and added warmth: Gather blankets, pillows, and warm
clothing items.
-
Medicine and other items: Locate a first aid kit, medicine,
prescription drugs, and any essential medical equipment.
-
A
charged cell phone: Most people are used to having their phones
with them, but also have a portable, fully-charged power pack on
hand.
Also gather:
-
Toiletries, hygiene items, and moist towelettes.
-
Flashlight and extra batteries.
-
Battery-operated radio or a NOAA weather radio.
-
List
of emergency telephone numbers, including your local utilities.
-
Toys, books, and games.
-
Pet
food and other pet-care items.
-
Supplies for alternate heating methods, such as a fireplace or
wood-burning stove.
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In advance of a storm, have the power company or a tree-trimming
professional remove limbs that could fall on power lines if they
become covered in ice or snow. Only certified line clearance tree
trimming professionals are authorized and allowed to trim trees near
power lines.
"Insulate your home by installing storm windows or plastic covering
on windows and caulk any cracks in your home," Hollinshead says.
"Finally, make sure the heating system is in proper working order."
Other safety tips include:
-
Use
caution when using a portable generator.
-
Never use a portable generator indoors, in a garage, or near
windows or doors because they omit deadly carbon monoxide.
-
Never plug a portable generator into a wall outlet. Doing so can
create deadly backfeed, which occurs when electricity travels
from the generator back through the power lines.
-
Monitor the temperature in your home. Infants and elderly people
are more susceptible to the cold.
-
Avoid going outside. Downed power lines could be submerged in
snow and ice, making them difficult to identify. Consider all
downed and hanging lines energized and deadly.
Along with causing outages, wintery conditions can create hiccups in
power delivery that include blinking lights or ebbs and flows in the
amount of power that comes into your home. Although blinking lights
can be a symptom of other problems such as loose wiring connections
or overloaded circuits, they can also be caused by extreme weather
conditions. When this happens, protect your circuits and appliances
by switching off lights and unplugging devices.
For more information about preparing for a winter storm and
electrical safety, visit SafeElectricity.org.
[WRITER: Ann Augspurger, Safe
Electricity, Communications Director] |