Power Outage

Follow these tips so you can react quickly in cases of a power outage:

• Prepare a "Go Bag"
• Have a supply of prescription drugs and health and hygiene supplies such as toiletries and a first-aid kit.
• Have a battery operated radio available with fresh batteries.
• Have a flashlight available with fresh batteries and an extra set of batteries.
• Buy foods that require no refrigeration and little or no preparation for cooking.
• Have a supply of food and water for a minimum of three days.
• Keep an appliance thermometer in your refrigerator and freezer in the event of a power outage.
• Sign up for Notify NYC to receive information about emergency alerts and important City services.
• Listen to the radio for further instructions and updates from city officials.

People who use electric medical equipment should:

• If you use life-sustaining equipment such as respirators, dialysis machines, apnea monitors, contact your utility company to find out whether you qualify to be registered as a life-sustaining equipment customer so you can be notified in the event of an emergency.
  • ConEd Special Services
  • National Grid Special Protections
• If utilities are included in your rent, you are still eligible.
• Make sure to have charged devices and back-up batteries.

• Text. Don’t call.
• Turn off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth if you’re not using them.
• Turn off “push” notifications and revoke background app access.
• Do not use your cell phone unless it’s for emergency information.

If the power is out for less than two hours, the food in your refrigerator and freezer will be safe to consume. If your power is out or was out for several hours or longer, the food in your refrigerator and/or freezer may not be safe to eat. While power is out, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.

Generally, food in a closed refrigerator will remain cold for 4 to 6 hours if it is unopened. If any perishable food (meat, poultry, fish, leftovers) in the refrigerator has reached a temperature above 40 °F for two hours or more, dispose of it.

A full freezer will stay frozen for 2 days, a half full freezer will stay frozen for 1 day if the door remains closed. If the food in the freezer thawed and is no longer cold you should dispose of it.

If food is partly frozen, still has ice crystals, or is as cold as if it were in a refrigerator (40 °F), it is safe to refreeze or use. IF IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT. Throw away any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy) that has been above 40 °F for 2 hours or more and/or has an unusual odor, color or texture.

Do not rely on appearance or odor to tell if a food will make you sick.

• Listen for public health announcements about the safety of NYC drinking water on the TV or radio.
• Check the NYC Department of Environmental Protection for updates on NYC drinking water safety.
• If local authorities inform you that the tap water is unsafe, use your emergency water supplies until instructed otherwise.

Power outages during hot weather can make homes dangerously hot without air conditioning. Heat illness occurs when the body cannot cool down and in its most serious form can lead to death. This can place extra stress on the body and worsen other health conditions such as heart and lung disease.

Signs of heat illness include:

• hot, dry skin or cold, clammy skin,
• rapid pulse,
• dizziness,
• confusion,
• weakness,
• trouble breathing,
• nausea
• and/or unconsciousness.

People who are most likely to get sick from the heat are those:

• Are 65 or older
• Have chronic conditions including heart disease, mental health or cognitive conditions and diabetes.
• Take medications that make it difficult for your body to stay cool (speak to your doctor or pharmacist for more information).
• Use drugs or drink heavily
• Are socially isolated, have limited mobility, or are unable to leave the house

To avoid heat illness:

• Go to a cool place with air conditioning, like a friend's house or a cooling center. To find a cooling center during a serious heat wave, visit NYC Cool Options, call 311 or TTY: 212-504-4115.

If you know someone at high risk, check on them at least once a day and help them get to a cool place if necessary. For more detailed information on staying cool in warm weather, visit Hot Weather and Your Health - NYC Health.

Keep warm by closing off rooms you don't need. If possible, go to a warm place with heat. Stay with family or friends if your home's heat will not be restored very soon.

Hypothermia or low-body temperature can occur when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Hypothermia can happen gradually and without the person realizing how serious it is.

Symptoms of hypothermia include:

• uncontrollable shivering,
• weakness,
• sleepiness,
• confusion,
• and lack of coordination.

In infants, signs of hypothermia may include:

• cold,
• bright red skin,
• or very low energy.

A body temperature below 95°F (35°C) is a medical emergency and 911 should be called immediately.

If it gets colder, avoid hypothermia by wearing layers of dry clothes, a hat and blankets. Cover your head, hands and feet and consume hot food and drinks if available but avoid alcohol.

The people at greatest risk from prolonged exposure to the cold are the elderly, infants and those with chronic health problems. If you know someone at high risk check on them at least once a day and help them get to someplace warm.

For available locations, call 311.

• Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur when portable gasoline-powered generators and other tools are used improperly following severe storms and power outages.
• Visit NYC Health: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning for more information.

During a power outage, it is possible that wastewater pollution control plants may need to discharge waste into public waters. Storm water discharges also can pollute public waters. The NYC Health Department conducts beach surveillance and monitoring for all permitted city beaches. The Health Department will issue beach closing or advisories as needed. Listen for announcements on battery-powered radios or call 311.

Power outages can impact mental health. They can disrupt your everyday life and make you and those around you feel less safe. Learning about stress and strategies to manage it can help you cope.

If there is a power outage in the city and you feel overwhelmed and unable to cope, or if you are concerned about someone else, you can find help by calling 988. 988 is a free, confidential helpline for New York City residents, available 24/7, with trained staff ready to take your calls and offer advice.