Don’t wait for a power outage to happen before you react. Take action now. There are many proactive steps that you can take now in advance of any power outages that will have you and your family be ready, safe, and secure.
Take an inventory
- Look for items in your home that you rely on for electricity. Now is the time to plan ahead.
- Does your home telephone require electricity or an internet connection to work properly?
- Do you or a family member use a medical device that needs electricity? Is there an adequate alternative power supply and how long does that last?
- Do you or a family member need medicine that must be refrigerated?
Stay informed
- Sign up for your local alert systems like Alert Seattle or Alert King County.
- Monitor weather reports or sign up for weather alerts, so you’re not caught off guard when inclement weather hits.
- Bookmark important websites, like the City Light Outage Map, on your phone for easy reference.
Stock up on or install helpful tools and devices
- Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home.
- Have flashlights with extra batteries for every household member.
- Install a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so that you can know the temperature when the power is restored.
- Utilize rechargeable LED lighting and power banks.
Check the outside of your home
- If weather reports call for inclement weather, particularly wind, ice or snow, walk your property looking for potential hazards.
- Bring in all hanging plants and decorations that could fly away or into your windows.
- Secure any loose furniture, children’s toys, grill covers, and lawn ornaments. Even a large trampoline can become airborne and fly into powerlines causing an outage, believe it or not.
- Look for branches that may be loose or cracked. If possible, safely trim or secure them.
Plan ahead
- Have your emergency kit packed and waiting in a safe, easy to find location.
- If you know a storm is headed your way, fill your gas tank or charge up your electric vehicle (EV).
- Make sure all your mobile devices are fully charged with power banks waiting in reserve.
- If you live in a multi-family building that requires electricity to access doors, speak to your property managers about what the alternatives are to getting in and out of the building.
- Know how to open your garage door manually or place a vehicle outside of the garage for easy access in case you need to vacate the property.