Finance & RatesSurviving a Prolonged Power Outage
- If a major storm or other disaster strikes, widespread damage and blocked roadways can delay repairs. Here’s how to stay safe and warm until the power comes back on.
Heating your home
NEVER try to heat a room using a gas stove, oven or fireplace. The same thing for charcoal or propane grills indoors.
If you use a natural gas, propane or oil-fired appliance improperly in a room, it can deplete the oxygen supply, causing asphyxiation, or produce carbon monoxide fumes. This can be deadly and can happen suddenly, with few or no warning signs or symptoms.
A portable heater can come in handy when the power goes out – but it also poses significant safety hazards. Before using, check your local safety codes and read the manufacturer's directions carefully.
If you use a wood-burning fireplace, crack open a window on the opposite side of the room to allow for adequate air circulation.
Food safety
Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer door. Refrigerated food will stay cold up to six hours; frozen food will keep for about two days if the door to the freezer isn’t opened.
If the outage will be longer, pack refrigerated items in a Styrofoam or insulated cooler surrounded by ice.
When the power comes back on, use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the food – if it’s less than 40 degrees, it’s safe to keep. If frozen foods still have ice crystals, they can safely be refrozen.
The American Red Cross has prepared an extensive food safety guide to help you decide what foods to keep and what foods to throw away.
Other Online Emergency Resources:
- American Red Cross
Information on a variety of disaster safety issues, including tornados, floods and more. - Federal Emergency Management Agency
Storm watches, disaster fact sheets, safety tips and instructions on how to request federal disaster relief funds. - National Weather Service
Track severe storms and find more information on safety during bad weather. - National Safety Council: Emergency Plan Checklist
This is a checklist you can use to ensure that your family is adequately prepared for storms and other disasters. - Ready America
Department of Homeland Security site with information and checklists for general emergency perparedness
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