Millions of New Yorkers depend on electricity in their
daily lives. Prolonged power outages are not only a nuisance — they are also
potentially life-threatening and can cause major economic losses.
Power outages occur most often during the summer months,
when residents run air conditioners and power usage is at its peak.
While prolonged power disruptions occur infrequently,
it's always a good idea to be prepared. In addition to the items you keep in
your Emergency Supply
Kit, consider storing a battery-operated lantern and freezer packs to help
keep food cold during a power outage. See Food Supply Preparation for more
information about preparing your food supply for an emergency.
IF THERE IS A POWER
OUTAGE:
First, check to see if a fuse is blown or a circuit
breaker has been tripped.
Call your power provider immediately to report the
outage.
Con Edison 24-hour hotline: 1-800-75-CONED
(752-6633)
Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) 24-hour hotline:
1-800-490-0025
Disconnect or turn off all appliances that will go on
automatically when service is restored. If several appliances start up at
once, they may overload electrical circuits.
In order to prevent food spoilage, keep your
refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Move milk, cheese,
meats, and other perishables into the freezer compartment. If the freezer is
only partially full, keep all items close together and stacked on top of each
other.
Stay indoors if possible. If you must go outside,
stay away from downed and dangling power lines.
If power will be out for an extended amount of time,
consider going to a shelter, hotel or friend or relative's home that has
power. However, ONLY do so when authorities say it is safe to travel (i.e. in
the case of a storm).
Check on people with special needs.
Cold-Weather Outage Tips:
If you lose power and/or heat in the winter, insulate
your home as much as possible. Hang blankets over windows and doorways and
find a well-insulated room for living while power is out.
Dress warmly. Wear hats,
scarves, gloves and layered clothing.
Use fireplaces for heat and light, but be sure to
keep the damper open for ventilation.
Do not burn charcoal indoors and do not use your
kitchen gas range to heat rooms as this can lead to fire or a hazardous smoke
condition.
Open your faucets to a steady drip so pipes do not
freeze.
Hot-Weather Outage
Tips:
Keep windows in your residence OPEN for proper
ventilation.
Drink plenty of water
Power Conservation Tips:
During periods of intense electrical usage, such as on hot, humid days, it is
important to conserve as much energy as possible to avoid brownouts and other
electrical disruptions.
Set your air conditioner thermostat no lower than 78 degrees — a 75-degree
setting uses 18 percent more electricity and a 72-degree setting uses 39
percent more electricity. This setting allows for sufficient cooling while
still conserving electric power.
Only use an air conditioner when you are home. If you want to cool your
room down before you arrive home, set a timer to have it switch on no more
than one-half hour before you arrive
Turn off all nonessential appliances.
Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms.
Only use appliances that have heavy electrical loads (dishwashers,
washers, dryers) early in the morning or very late at night.
While diminishing your power usage may seem like an inconvenience, your
cooperation will help to ensure that utilities can continue to provide
uninterrupted electrical service.
