What to Do When the Power Goes Out in Springfield, PA

7/22/2019 (Permalink)

Candles, matches, flashlights, and battery-operated radios are great essentials to have on-hand.

You can lose power for a variety of reasons and often without any warning. Your first thought probably is: “I know I have a flashlight around here somewhere. If only I could find it in the dark!”

Once your power goes out, the first step is to determine the cause. It may be your own breaker or a power outage caused by a storm.

To check, you need to locate your electrical panel and see if one of the switches is turned off. You may have blown a fuse or tripped a breaker and all you need to do is turn it back on and power should be restored.

If not, you can always check out your neighbors to see if their house is fully lit. Power is usually lost in a localized area. If you do not have power, it is likely that your neighbors are also without power.

Communicating during a power outage is important to keep everyone as safe as possible.

You can call your utility company and report the loss of power, but be aware many other customers will likely be reporting the same issue and it will be difficult to get through. They are probably already aware of the problem and working to fix it as fast as they can.

Always keep a battery-operated radio on-hand, as well as extra batteries to keep up with the latest news and weather reports. Candles, matches, and flashlights are also important to provide light. 

Be conscious of your phone battery, as you will not be able to charge it using an electrical outlet when it runs out of battery.

In an emergency, you can always use your car to listen to the radio and charge your phone. Make sure your car is in an open area or open the garage door before running it for a period of time. Carbon monoxide fumes can be fatal in an enclosed space.

To protect your appliances, it is best to turn them off. This way, when the power does return, the surge of electrical energy will not damage your computer or television. Additionally, if you were using a stove burner or iron, it can be easy to forget it when the power comes back on.

If the outage is likely to last a prolonged period of time, it is best to stay comfortable and hydrated. Especially in the summer months, your house will likely heat up quickly due to the lack of air conditioning or fans. Stay as cool and safe as possible at all times!

When the power goes out, it can lead to a variety of headaches for homeowners. If you need help with storm or water restoration, call SERVPRO of West Erie County! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Call us at (814) 806 1987

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