Be prepared before spring storm power outages hit
Staff reports
More than 60,000 people in Middle Tennessee remained without power Tuesday afternoon after storms blew through Sunday. It’s the second large outage of the year, after the March 3 tornadoes, and if Tennesseans know anything, it’s that spring storms are not over yet.
So while you’re locked down at home, make sure your household is prepared for the next storm and any possible power failures. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends the following:
Be prepared
Take an inventory now of the items you need that rely on electricity.
Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.
❚ Plan for batteries and other alternatives to meet your needs when the power goes out.
❚ Sign up for local alerts and warning systems. Monitor weather reports.
❚ Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home.
❚ Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage and how long battery backup will last.
❚ Review the supplies that are available in case of no power. Have flashlights with extra batteries for every household member. Have enough nonperishable food and water.
❚ Use a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so that you can know the temperature when the power is restored.
❚ Keep mobile phones and other electric equipment charged and gas tanks full.
During the power outage
❚ Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators, camp stoves or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows. Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home.
❚ Check on your neighbors. Older adults and young children are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
❚ Go to a community location with power if heat or cold is extreme.
❚ Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment, or electronics. Power may return with momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can cause damage.
Food safety after a power outage
❚ Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary. Monitor temperatures with a thermometer.
❚ Use food supplies that do not require refrigeration.
❚ When in doubt, throw it out. Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
❚ Foodsafety.gov has a full and helpful chart of everything you can keep and what you should discard after a long outage.
❚ If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise. If a life depends on the refrigerated drugs, consult a doctor or pharmacist and use medicine only until a new supply is available.