What to Do Before, During Power Outage

Despite the avalanche of snow covering Virginia and Washington, D.C., the number of power outages reported so far has been minimal.

According to Dominion power, most households have not had electricity issues in Northern Virginia. The company's outage map shows only a few hundred outages around Virginia.

But there's one more round of snow to make it through. Time to prepare for a loss of power.

During a power outage of two hours or less, your perishable foods should be OK. For prolonged power outages, though, there are steps you can take to minimize food loss and to keep all members of your household as comfortable as possible.

This list is courtesy of Fairfax County's website.

If you know a power outage is coming:

• Back up all critical files on your computer.
• Unplug electrical equipment. Spikes and surges could occur as power is restored, damaging equipment.
• Charge any batteries you need to run portable electronic devices that you use regularly.
• Make sure that your disaster supply kit is complete and that it can be found easily if the lights go out.

If your power goes out:

• Report your outage! Never assume a neighbor has reported it.
  • Dominion Virginia Power: 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357), TTY 711; view outage map
  • Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC): 1-888-335-0500 or 703-335-0500, TTY 711; view outage reports
• Use a flashlight only for emergency lighting. Never use candles.
• Unplug electrical equipment until a steady power supply returns.
• Practice proper generator and surface heater safety.
• Leave one light turned on so you know when power is restored.
• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic signals will stop working during an outage, creating traffic congestion.
• If power is restored, be certain it is steady before you plug equipment into it.

Food and Water Safety

Food safety information page

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. First use perishable food from the refrigerator. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about 4 hours.
• Then use food from the freezer. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
• Use your nonperishable foods and staples after using food from the refrigerator and freezer.
• If it looks like the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items.
• Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!

Electrical Equipment

• Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.
• Turn off or disconnect any appliances (like stoves), equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.
• Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power comes back on.
• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car, as traffic lights will be out and roads will be congested.

Using Generators Safely

• When using a portable generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a portable generator to a home’s electrical system.
• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoalburning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

If you are considering getting a generator, get advice from a professional, such as an electrician. Make sure that the generator you purchase is rated for the power that you think you will need.