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Power Outage Tips

What to do before, during, and after a power outage.

Before a Power Outage

	Make sure there are flashlights, a battery-powered radio and fresh batteries in an easily accessible area.
	Periodically, check supplies of non-perishable foods, bottled water and medication. Try to keep a three-day supply on hand. Stock up if needed.
	Check medications that require refrigeration to be sure you know if they will be affected by a prolonged interruption of power. Consult a doctor or pharmacist if you’re not sure. You may want to keep a small cooler handy to use for special medication.
	Always have a first-aid kit with current supplies in a convenient location.
	In winter, have an alternate source of heating available, along with extra fuel, such as wood for wood-burning stoves and fireplaces.
	Remember that cordless phones won’t work when the power goes out. Have at least one cord phone or cell phone available for use during power outages.
	Know how to manually operate your garage door. If power is lost, your garage door opener will not work.
	Use surge suppressors to protect sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers. If you are home during a severe storm, you may want to unplug sensitive equipment.
	Be prepared to cook outside on a grill or camp stove. Never bring a grill indoors. Without proper ventilation, grills can be deadly.

If it appears that a storm is imminent, take these steps.

Fill a tub and spare containers with water in the event the electric water pump or the municipal water system becomes unavailable.

Check to ensure that elderly family members or friends who live alone are prepared for the weather.

Unplug sensitive equipment.

During a Power Outage

Report a power outage to Duquesne Light by calling 1-888-393-7000.

Immediately report any power line hazards to Duquesne Light.

Do not touch downed or hanging power lines or anything touching them. Visit Downed Power Lines for more information.

Monitor the status of power restoration activities on local radio stations.

Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer. Food will stay frozen in a fully loaded freezer for 36 to 48 hours if the doors remain closed. If the freezer is half full, the food will generally keep 24 hours. See Food Safety Information for information on specific food items.

Keep candles away from furniture, draperies and other flammable materials. Also, keep children and pets away from open flames.

Disconnect or turn off appliances that were on when the power outage occurred. Leave a light on so you will know when power is restored.

Use space heaters only in well ventilated areas.

Use a camp stove, fireplace or can of sterno for cooking. Don’t use charcoal or any other fuels in unventilated areas.

If you leave your home while the power is out, double-check that all heat producing appliances, such as stoves, irons and curling irons are unplugged.

If there is severe damage and it appears that the outage will last an extended period of time, consider moving to an alternate location.

If you use a generator use extreme caution and follow these safety guidelines.

Consult a licensed electrician to select the right generator for your situation. Make sure that the generator meets national and local electrical safety code requirements.

Make sure the generator is in a well-ventilated area to reduce the risk of breathing harmful fumes.

Never connect the generator’s electrical output to any home or building electrical circuits.

If the generator is connected to a breaker panel or fuse box, turn off or disconnect the main breaker to the house while you are using the generator.

Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.

Plug appliances directly into the generator.

Avoid contact with bare wires and terminals.

Always use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) in any damp or highly conductive areas.

After a Power Outage

	Make sure there are flashlights, a battery-powered radio and fresh batteries in an easily accessible area.
	Periodically, check supplies of non-perishable foods, bottled water and medication. Try to keep a three-day supply on hand. Stock up if needed.

Planned Outages

	Home Entry & Access: If you typically use a garage door opener, make sure you take a house key to regain entry into your home, in the event that your service is still out when you return. Know how to manually operate your garage door. If power is lost, your garage door opener will not work. If your home has a security system, consult your owner’s manual or contact the service you subscribe to, if applicable. You may need to disengage the system before or while your service is interrupted.
	Electronic Equipment: Use surge suppressors to protect sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers. If possible, it is recommended to unplug all sensitive equipment before any planned outages. If you forget to do so, unplug the equipment before your service is restored; however, we recommend consulting the appliances’ owner’s manual. If you leave your home while the power is out, double-check that all heat producing appliances, such as stoves, irons and curling irons are unplugged. Make sure you have flashlights, a battery-powered radio and fresh batteries in an easily accessible area.
	Medication, Foods & Other Supplies: Check medications that require refrigeration to be sure you know if they will be affected by a prolonged interruption of power. Consult a doctor or pharmacist if you’re not sure. You may want to keep a small cooler handy to use for special medication. Always have a first-aid kit with current supplies in a convenient location. Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer. Food will stay frozen in a fully loaded freezer for 36 to 48 hours if the doors remain closed. If the freezer is half full, the food will generally keep 24 hours. See Food Safety Information for information on specific food items. Remember that cordless phones won’t work when the power goes out. Have at least one cord phone or cell phone available for use during power outages. Periodically, check supplies of non-perishable foods, bottled water and medication. Stock up if needed.