Find out about local alerts and warnings by contacting your local emergency management or visiting their website.

Make A PLAN

MANAGING A POWER OUTAGE

Make sure to

Charge up

Take inventory of items you need that require electricity and keep a stock of batteries for them. Have a flashlight and batteries for each member of your home.

Make a

plan

Have a plan in place for any medical devices or refrigerated medicine if you lose power. Make sure you have enough supplies and medication on hand. Talk with your pharmacist/local pharmacy about how long medication can withstand higher temperatures.

If you have a chronic condition or critical illness that requires power, check if your city or electric company allows you to register as a critical load customer.

How much water is enough?

3 Days worth of water

  • 1 Adult = 3 Gal

  • 1 Child = 1.5 Gal

  • 1 Dog = .5 Gal

  • 1 Cat = .3 Gal

Create a

Support Network

Create a support network – Identify people who can help you stay at home or evacuate during an extended power outage.

 

Sign up for

alerts

Sign up for alert systems and apps for text updates.

BE INFORMED

Keep your car

FUELED UP

Make sure to keep your car fueled with at least half a tank at all times.

CHECK POWER OUTAGES

When a major storm approaches, check power outages in your area frequently.

Cool your

Perishables

Keep all refrigerators and freezers closed to preserve food and use coolers full of ice if necessary.  Eat your fresh, perishable foods first. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. Monitor the temperature by keeping a thermometer inside. 

Turn off your

UTILITIES

Turn off the utilities only if you suspect damage or if local officials instruct you to do so. Your gas line can only be turned on by a qualified professional. If any circuit breakers have been tripped, contact an electrician to inspect them before turning them on. 

ESSENTIAL TIPS

  • Unplug

    Unplug appliances and electronics to avoid power overloads or damage from power surges.

  • Neighbors

    Check on your neighbors. Older adults and young children are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures.

  • Community

    Go to a community location with power if heat or cold is extreme.

Check your local news

websites

Check local news, websites and Oncor for outages in your area.

SEE MORE

GENERATORS

Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup on each floor of your home. Don’t use a gas stove to heat your home. Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and only use generators, camp stoves, and charcoal grills outside and at least 20 feet away from any structure. Once power is being restored, shut down your generator and store it properly. Have generator outside/not in garage.

GENERATOR TIPS

  • FUMES

    Differences in air pressure and temperature between the inside and outside can create a draft that pulls exhaust fumes into the home. Don’t forget that your generator exhaust could affect your neighbors, too.

  • RAIN

    Never set up the generator in the rain. Specially designed generator tents made to fit over your generator will protect it from the rain but follow all the safety rules in the manual.

  • ELECTRICAL

    Only purchase and use extension cords rated for outdoor use that match the circuit breaker of the generator outlet. 20-amp outlets require a 20-amp extension cord. Accidentally overloading the cord is a serious fire hazard and burn hazard. Always use 3-wire extension cords and never attempt to defeat the ground blade.

  • FUEL

    Let the generator cool before refueling. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts can ignite.

AFTER THE POWER OUTAGE

What should you do?

  • TOSS IT

    Throw away

    any food exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more or that has an unusual odor, color, or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!

  • MEDICATION

    If the power is out

    for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated unless the drug’s label says otherwise and consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately for a new supply. 

  • KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

    Stay at least 35 feet

    away from fallen power lines and blown transformers and anything they are touching. Call 911 and let them know.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

    Don't go into

    flooded areas or use any electrical equipment or electronics that may have been submerged. Have a qualified electrical inspector check the electrical system.

GO-KIT

Refresh your go-kit for items you used/for next time.

Build your kit

FAMILY

Contact older relatives/people or family with issues/needs.

  • Make a Plan

    A little preparation could protect your life and the lives of those around you. It only takes a few minutes to develop a plan. When finished, you'll have a pocket-size emergency plan at hand.

  • Build a Kit

    Remember how long it took to pack for your last vacation? The last thing you want to worry about in a disaster is packing. That’s why everyone should have an Emergency Supply Kit ready to go. Use this checklist to help you assemble your kit.

/// Find out about local alerts and warnings by contacting your local emergency management or visiting their website. ///