Whether there is planned power outage or mother nature strikes, you should be prepared with an easily accessible emergency kit. Supplies should include:

  • A flashlight, headlamps, battery- or solar-powered lantern, radio, and fresh batteries. Keep the batteries separate until you are ready to use them. Many cellphones can be used as a flashlight, but you should save the battery power on your phone for checking weather updates and getting information.

  • Candles and matches. Do not leave lit candles unattended.
  • Bottled drinking water. Store at least 1 gallon per person per day. If a storm is in the forecast, fill the bathtub with water so bathroom facilities can still be used by pouring a bucket of water down the toilet to create a vacuum flush.
  • Kindling and dry firewood if you have a fireplace or wood stove.
  • Clothing. In cooler weather, wear extra layers and a hat. Have sleeping bags and blankets handy, too.
  • Easy-to-prepare food items. Buy items that do not require much cooking. Canned or instant soups, stews, chili, packaged freeze-dried meals, and protein or breakfast bars are good to have on hand.
  • Gas camp stoves, lanterns, or barbecues. Make sure to have extra fuel for cooking outdoors. Never use a camp stove or barbecue indoors. Be sure to use any lanterns on a flat, stable, and nonflammable surface.
  • An ample supply of essential prescription medications and over-the counter drugs. During a storm, road travel may not be possible for several days.
  • A first-aid kit. Make sure all supplies are filled and ready to go. If you have a medical condition, have a backup plan to enact at a moment’s notice.
  • Games. Board games and cards are fun and handy to pass the time.

Power Outage Do’s and Don’ts

  • If the lights go off, know what steps to take to be comfortable and safe and to help crews restore service quickly.
  • Check your electrical panel. Look for tripped breakers or blown fuses. Try to reset the breakers by switching them off, then on.
  • Save our outage number in your cellphone. Use it to report the location of your outage. Be sure to report any flashes, bangs or trees in power lines to help repair crews locate damage.
  • Turn off major appliances. Your washer and dryer, stereo and TV, and the water heater and heating-system breakers need to be turned off to avoid overloading your circuits when the power is restored. Unplug any voltage-sensitive equipment.
  • Install surge protectors to protect voltage-sensitive equipment. You can buy high-quality surge protection devices from a variety of online dealers and local electricians.
  • Switch on an outside light. This may assist crews in determining if your power has been restored late into the night.
  • Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food in a refrigerator will last 12 to 24 hours if the doors are kept closed. A full freezer can last 24 to 48 hours. Helpful hint: Drape a sleeping bag over your refrigerator or freezer for added insulating value in case of an extended power outage.
  • Keep the freezer full. The freezer will stay colder longer if it is full. Milk jugs filled with water and placed in a half-full freezer can be a supply of both water and ice in an emergency.  Consider buying dry ice to help prevent spoilage.
  • Listen to radio reports. Keep either a battery-operated or battery-free (hand crank) radio on hand for emergencies. During an extended outage, listen to local radio stations for updates and information.
  • Never wire a portable generator directly into your electrical panel.
  • Keep on a porch light and one light inside so you and crews will know when service is restored.
  • If you see any downed utility lines, stay far back and call MEC at (800) 752-5935.  Keep children and pets away, too. A downed line doesn't have to spark to be dangerous. A wire can be dangerous even if you're not touching it; water, metal, tree branches, concrete or other materials touching the wire can conduct electricity from a wire to you.

Remember these tips during an extended outage:

  • Let the repair crews do their job. It is tempting to stop crews and ask questions about when the power will be restored, but this only delays the restoration process. While the crews want to be helpful, they also want to restore your power quickly so they can get home to their families.
  • Be a good neighbor. Severe storms usually increase the number of accidents and medical problems. This can cause increased response time for service agencies. Organize people in your area to check on each other and lend assistance.
  • If not used correctly, portable generators can cause fatal accidents involving Lineworkers. Plug appliances into the generator. Do not connect household breaker circuits to the generator without a transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician.
  • Investigate emergency water sources. Runoff from rooftops can be collected and used for washing, but do not drink it. A water heater can supply drinking water. Be sure the breaker is off before you drain it and fill it before turning the breaker back on. Your utility works hard to keep your power on, but should an outage occur, knowing what to do and keeping these supplies on hand can be a huge help and comfort.

Keep Things Going

  • Keep plenty of gas in your car.
  • Keep extra batteries, matches, propane, charcoal, and firewood.
  • Stay Happy, Healthy and Warm
  • Coordinate with neighbors for care of the elderly and disabled living alone.
  • Maintain a supply of prescriptions, nonprescription drugs, vitamins and special dietary foods.
  • Keep sanitary and personal hygiene supplies replenished. Pre-moistened cleansing towelettes are useful and help conserve water.
  • Use plastic trash bags and ties for garbage.
  • Put first-aid kits in your home and car.
  • Make sure you have cold weather clothing, foul weather gear, blankets and sleeping bags.
  • Consider purchasing alternative UL-approved heating devices. For example, a fireplace inserts, or wood stove will keep the heat in your home instead of up the chimney.
  • Use flashlights and other battery-operated lighting instead of candles.
  • Keep fire extinguishers fully charged.
  • Fill your bathtub with water for bathroom use before the storm (if you have a well).
  • Check to see current weather conditions.

When the power is out:

  • Turn off all electrical equipment, including your water heater, electric furnace or heaters, stove, washer and dryer, stereo and TV, to help prevent overloading the system when power is restored. Major appliances can be turned off at the breaker box. Don't forget to turn your breakers back on when power is restored and check to ensure everything is back on properly.

  • Keep on a porch light and one light inside so you and crews will know when service is restored.
  • If you see any downed utility lines, stay far back and call MEC at (800) 752-5935.  Keep children and pets away, too. A downed line doesn't have to spark to be dangerous. A wire can be dangerous even if you're not touching it; water, metal, tree branches, concrete or other materials touching the wire can conduct electricity from a wire to you.
  • For information during major storm outages, follow Midstate Electric Cooperative on Facebook and Instagram. You can also view our Live Outage map.
  • If you own a portable generator, know how to operate it safely.  Click here for information on generator safety.

In Home Life Support

  • MEC strongly recommends having a backup power source and an emergency plan for extended outages for those on medical support devices.
  • When all is back to normal, restock your three-day emergency supply kit and update your emergency communications plan so family members know how to contact each other and where to meet.
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