EMERGENCIES AND WEATHER · 3 MIN
Power outages and boil-water notices
In short
What to do when the power goes out, keeping food safe, using generators safely, and how to follow a boil-water notice.
Storms, heat waves and repairs can cut power or make tap water unsafe. A few rules keep your home safe.
When the power goes out
1
Check if neighbors have power. If only you are out, check your
breaker box
(electric panel) for a switch that flipped.
2
Report the outage to your
electric company
through its app, website or phone number (save it today). Do not assume someone else reported it.
3
Unplug sensitive electronics to protect them when power comes back.
4
Use flashlights, not candles.
5
Stay away from
fallen power lines
. Assume every line is live. Call 911 or the power company.
6
If your home gets too hot or too cold, go to a library, mall, or a
warming or cooling center
.
If someone in your home needs electricity for medical equipment, register with your power company and have a backup plan.
Keep food safe
Keep the fridge and freezer
closed
.
A closed fridge keeps food cold for about
4 hours
.
A full freezer keeps its temperature for about
48 hours
(about 24 hours if half full).
Throw away meat, fish, milk, eggs and leftovers that were above 40°F (4°C) for more than 2 hours. When in doubt, throw it out.
Generators
Never
use a generator, grill or camp stove indoors, in a garage, or near windows. They make
carbon monoxide
, a gas that can kill in minutes.
Place generators outside, at least 20 feet (6 meters) from windows and doors.
Boil-water notices
A
boil water notice
(or advisory) means the tap water may contain germs. Your city announces it through alerts, news and social media.
1
Use bottled water, or
boil
tap water at a full rolling boil for
1 minute
(3 minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet), then let it cool.
2
Use boiled or bottled water for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing fruit and vegetables, and baby formula.
3
Bathing is usually fine for adults; do not swallow the water. Supervise children in the bath.
4
Throw away ice made during the notice.
5
Wait for the official message that the notice has ended. Then run cold taps for a few minutes.
Common mistakes
Opening the fridge every hour to check.
Running a generator in the garage "with the door open".
Using water from the fridge dispenser during a boil notice.
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