Power Outage Preparedness: What to Do in the Event of an Outage

Our residents’ health and safety is Roque & Mark’s first priority. In the unlikely event of an outage emergency, keep the following tips from Southern California Edison in mind.

The simplest way to stay safe in any emergency is to be as prepared as possible for it. So, it’s important to have an emergency plan in place and to review it with your household regularly. Make sure to account for every individual’s needs in these plans, including how you will aid pets, infants, the elderly, or people with disabilities.

Other simple preparedness strategies include having supplies ready. Place flashlights in handy locations throughout your home, and keep backup batteries accessible. It can also be useful to stock up on basic necessities and make sure they are in a location that can be reached quickly, even in the dark. If you depend on electricity-powered equipment, such as medical devices, also make sure to have a backup power source like a generator. Keep important telephone numbers written down and nearby phones. It could also help to acquaint yourself with your home’s utility boxes (electricity, water, and gas), especially knowing where they are located.

Finally, if applicable, it is essential to follow the direction of local law enforcement and firefighters for evacuations and road safety. All of these tips are also important for non-emergency outages, including rotating outages. Rotating outages are brief, controlled power outages mandated by the California Independent System Operator and are conducted to protect the integrity of California’s entire electric system. While rotating outages are important, they can often be inconvenient. Review the following tips for these non-emergency outages to remain as comfortable as possible.

Consider installing surge protectors to safeguard valuable electronics like computers. Additionally, learn how to manually operate any exit paths that may be affected by an outage, such as garage doors and gates. Portable batteries and chargers can be useful to keep phones, laptops, and other devices charged and operational until power is restored. These small steps will decrease stress in the event of an outage, and help guarantee your safety.

Moreover, consider your fridge and its contents. Try and keep the doors shut as much as possible, as the fridge’s seal will maintain the cool air on the inside. In many cases, simply keeping your fridge and freezer closed can keep food from spoiling throughout an outage.

Spoiled food or electronics damaged in a power surge aren’t covered by property insurance, so it is also essential to have personal renter’s insurance. For Roque & Mark residents, this is also required per the terms of your lease. If you have damage, take pictures and contact your renter’s insurance right away. Renter’s insurance can also help cover other issues like car theft or an injury to one of your visitors.