Power outages can strike your home at any time and can range from lasting just a brief moment to stretching out for hours. During summer and warm months, power outages are even more likely as everyone dials up their air conditioning. In the event of a power outage, especially one of a prolonged duration, it’s important to know what you can do to stay safe.
The first thing to check is your breaker box to see if you have any tripped circuits or blown fuses. You can also check in with neighbors to see if they are experiencing a power outage as well. This will help determine if the issue is within or outside your home.
Switch off the lights in your home, but leave one switched on. This will clearly alert you for when the power returns. Unplug any major electronics such as computers, TVs, etc. to prevent damage when power returns. Surge protectors are another great way to protect your electronics from this kind of damage.
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep food as fresh as possible. If an outage persists for an extended period of time, check food carefully for signs of spoilage and do not consume any food if it looks or smells irregular.
Your utility provider provides a map of reported power outages in their service areas. To see outages in your area, visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/consumer-support/power-outage-maps and locate your electric company to see if your area is being affected.
Source: Southern California Edison
