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Ewing, NJ 08628

What To Do When the Power Goes Out

Be Ready | Be Prepared

Downed Power LinesThe summer months are a period of high demand on the electric grid as Americans turn down their thermostats for a bit of relief from the heat.  Add to that our new normal of higher than usual temperatures across the US and the demand for heat relief could cause rolling blackouts across the country.  Fortunately, our region of the country seems to be well prepared to meet the system demands[1], however, sudden power outages and disasters often occur without warning.  From severe weather to motor vehicle accidents near power lines, equipment failure, fallen trees, high energy demand, power line damage from construction work, cyberattacks, and even from wildlife looking for a new home, any of these may cause your power to go out without warning.  Outages can last just a few short hours, or even days.  And it may affect a couple of blocks to your whole neighborhood, or even the entire community. 

The Effects of Power Outages may include:

  • Disruption of communications, water, and transportation.
  • Closure of retail businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, ATMs, banks, and other services.
  • Food spoilage and water contamination.
  • Prevention of use of medical devices

All are inconveniences, some more serious than others.

We suggest that as for any other emergency, that the best time to prepare is before the need occurs. 

Step 1 – Prepare an emergency plan that includes a disaster supply kit. The kit should include enough water, dried and canned food, and emergency supplies (flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, prescription medicines, and a digital thermometer) to last at least 3 days. Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns, or torches (to minimize the risk of fire). To learn more information on emergency plans and supply kits, see Emergency Preparedness and You from the CDC.

Step 2 – Plan for Your Medical Needs.  Some drugs require refrigeration to keep their strength, including many liquid drugs.  When the power is out for a day or more, throw away any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise.

If a life depends on the refrigerated drug, but the medications have been at room temperature, use them only until a new supply is available.  Replace all refrigerated drugs as soon as possible.  (Resources for people with chronic disease or disability.

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.

Step – 3  Food Storage.  If the power is out for less than 4 hours, then the food in your refrigerator and freezer will be safe to consume. While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold for longer. 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. Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.

Visit Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency for more information.

Step – 4  Take steps to prevent illness from unsafe water after a disaster.  Do not use water you suspect or have been told is contaminated to drink, wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash, and prepare food, wash your hands, make ice, or make baby formula. Use bottled, boiled, or treated water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene.

Follow your state, local, or tribal health department for specific recommendations regarding boiling or treating water in your area.  Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol dehydrates the body, which increases the need for drinking water.

Step 5 - Extreme Heat and Cold

Heat

Be aware of yours and others’ risk for heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and fainting. To avoid heat stress, you should follow CDC’s heat safety tips.

Heat stroke is the most serious heat illness. It happens when the body can’t control its own temperature and its temperature rises rapidly. Sweating fails and the body cannot cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency care is not given. Visit Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness for more information on how to recognize symptoms and what to do if someone develops a heat-related illness.

If air conditioning is not available in your home:

  • Contact your local health department or locate an air-conditioned shelter in your area. The ESCC is Ewing’s designated cooling/heating station. Alternatively, spend some time at a shopping mall or public library. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help.
  • Take cool showers or baths.
  • Don’t rely solely on fans to keep you cool. While electric fans might provide some comfort, when temperatures are really hot, they won’t prevent heat-related illness.

Cold

Hypothermia happens when a person’s core body temperature is lower than 35°C (95°F). Learn more about how to recognize and prevent hypothermia.

Step 6 - Using Appliances During Power Outages Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment, or electronics. Power may return with momentary surges or spikes that can cause damage. 

Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home. 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.

Step 7 - Sign up for alerts and warnings published by the Township and other agencies to stay abreast of emergencies happening locally.  Monitor weather reports.  Ewing Township publishes warnings via the Switft911 Notification System, also known as the “Mayor’s Messages.”  Sign up now to ensure that you receive these critical Ewing-centric notifications as they are published. 

The Swift911™ Community Notification System will keep you up to date about both emergency and non-emergency situations.  Receive a phone call, email or text about floods, fires, water emergencies, road closures, missing persons, evacuation orders, and weather emergencies. Non-emergency notifications may include Township information such as event and program reminders, service information, and other general communications. You may customize your alerts by opting-in or opting-out of some types of notifications.

If a family member has medical disabilities and will need special assistance during an emergency, we encourage them to sign up for NJ Special Needs Registry. The “Register Ready” program allows NJ residents with disabilities to preregister so that emergency responders can better plan to serve them in a disaster or other emergency. 

Ewing’s Fire Companies also maintain their own database of addresses/individuals that need special assistance evacuating.  Fill out their Emergency Information Request form and send it to them to be included in their database and ensure that they are especially prepared to help you in the event of an emergency.  (This information is not publicly shared.) 

Tips Summary

  • To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, use generators, pressure washers, grills, and similar items outdoors only. Generators should be used at least 20 feet away from your home.
  • Identifyand throw away food that may not be safe to eat.
  • Check with local authoritiesto be sure your water is safe.
  • In hot weather, stay cool and drink plenty of fluids to prevent heat-related illness.
  • In cold weather, wear layers of clothing, which help to keep in body heat.
  • Avoid downed power lines, if a power line falls on a car, you should stay inside the vehicle.

Resources

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] https://www.nerc.com/pa/RAPA/ra/Reliability%20Assessments%20DL/NERC_SRA_2022.pdf page 23.