It’s Power Outage Season: Are You Prepared?

Living in the Pacific Northwest, it’s not a matter of if but when the power goes out. There are lots of reasons for power outages, but in our region the primary culprit is the seasonal windstorms that hit our area between October and March each year. Thousands of homes lose power every winter when windstorms knock trees and branches onto powerlines and sometimes knock down the lines themselves. 

Don’t wait for the lights to go out, get ready now. A little planning can turn a major problem into a simple inconvenience. With the right attitude, your kids might even look back fondly on your family’s traditions around dealing with this aspect of Pacific Northwest life. 

Heating safety concerns 

When the power goes out during a winter storm, your first worry may be the lack of heat and freezing. But in the Puget Sound region, cold is more often a matter of discomfort than danger. Unfortunately, some of the things people try in an effort to stay warm can be life-threatening. Avoid these workarounds that could be harmful:

• Never use a generator, gas stove or oven to heat your home. 
• Never cook indoors, even in the garage, with a camp stove, gas grill or charcoal grill. Doing so creates a risk of fatal carbon monoxide poisoning. 
• Don’t use an oven or stovetop to warm the house. It can also damage the appliance and creates a fire risk. 

Is it safe to use candles when the power goes out?

Lighting the house with candles is another fire hazard. Safer, more reliable options to produce light include battery-operated flashlights and products like the Infinity power failure night light. If you prefer the cozy atmosphere created by candles, there are special emergency candle options. Whatever type of candle you use, follow the Candle Safety Association tips for safe use:

• Properly trim wicks
• Place candles carefully on stable, heat-resistant surfaces away from plants, curtains and drafts
• Know when and how to snuff them properly
• Never leave candles unattended

Preparing for a power outage 

Make emergency preparedness part of your seasonal transition. Even if you don’t rotate your wardrobe with the seasons, make sure your winter gear, such as hats, gloves and extra blankets are stored for easy access when you can’t heat your house. At the same time, stow your camping gear with access in mind; cold-rated sleeping bags can be more comfortable than heavy piles of blankets if the power is off overnight. 

When you start pulling out the Halloween decorations, bring in hanging plants, garden furniture, and anything else that could become airborne and fly into powerlines. Fallen trees and branches cause most power outages in the Pacific Northwest, but not all trees are a threat. Have an ISA-certified arborist evaluate your property, identify and remove hazardous branches and trees. If a chainsaw is required to cut a branch, don’t do it yourself. Tree trimming is a skilled, technical task that can create new hazards when performed incorrectly. 

If you have a fireplace, get your chimney cleaned each year. Creosote buildup and nests create a fire hazard. Once your fireplace is safe to use, stock up on firewood and refresh your memory on the safe operation of your fireplace.

While you’re at it, visit your local utility’s website for the phone number to report a power outage and add it to your phone contacts. If it has one, download the emergency app that will keep you informed during an outage. Ready.gov has specific preparedness guidelines for families and the Red Cross has emergency supplies available for purchase. 

What supplies should families have ready?

Just as you hopefully have bug-out bags stored near the door, dedicate an accessible space for home emergency supplies. Have multiple flashlights with extra batteries, rechargeable LED lighting, and power banks for charging phones. Stock up on nonperishable food and water. Don’t hesitate to use emergency supplies like MREs, even if you think the lights will be on in a few hours — it’s helpful for finding out what works, and most supplies need to be replenished regularly anyway. 

Keep a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so that you can know the temperature when the power is restored. Food will usually stay cold for about four hours in a closed refrigerator, while a full freezer will keep its temperature for about 48 hours.

Check the batteries on your fire and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they function without electricity. Consider putting electronics that are vulnerable to power spikes when electricity returns (computers, televisions, game consoles and routers) on power strips so you can easily switch them off rather than pulling individual plugs. 

If you live in a multi-family building with an elevator or access doors that require electricity, speak to your property managers about alternatives for getting in and out of the building and stairwell. 

If you live in a house, learn how to open your garage door manually or park outside when the forecast is bad in case you need to leave while the power is out.

What to do when the power goes out

When the power goes out, turn off electronics and unplug any appliances that were in use when you lost power — except for the refrigerator and freezer — to avoid damage from electrical surges. Leave one light on so you know when the power comes back. Try to keep freezers and refrigerators closed to delay food spoilage. Use coolers with ice if necessary. 

During an outage, electric fireplaces, pellet stoves without a battery backup, and blowers and fans attached to wood-burning fireplaces will not operate. However, you can safely use your wood-burning fireplace or standing pilot gas fireplace to stay warm. Some electronic ignition gas fireplaces feature a battery backup box. It is tempting, but not safe, to keep the fire going while you sleep. Put it out or let it burn down before going to bed. 

If a power outage lasts longer than 30 minutes and you have a generator that you can use safely, start it up outside and away from windows. Verify safe usage with The Washington State Department of Health. If you don’t have a generator, bundle up in layers and stay together in one room with the doors and curtains closed to keep warm. During an extended outage, check with local officials to see if heating locations have been opened near you.

Steps to take when the power is restored

• Wait at least 15 minutes before turning on appliances; electrical surges are common when power is first restored. 
• Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or longer, or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. 
• If the outage lasted more than a day, discard any refrigerated medication, unless the drug’s label says otherwise. When in doubt, throw it out! Consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately for a new supply.
• Recharge power banks and batteries, or replace dead batteries with rechargeable ones, and make a list of used up or expired emergency supplies to replace. 

Special situations and considerations

If anyone in your household uses refrigerated medicine or an electric medical device, such as a ventilator, talk to your medical provider to develop a power-outage plan. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life. If you rely on an electric device, you may need to purchase a backup power supply such as a generator or make advance arrangements to stay at a health care facility that has backup power. People who use life support equipment should register with their local utility for priority power supply repair and restoration.