When the Lights Go Out: Essential Power Outage Safety Tips Every Brooklyn Family Needs to Know
Power outages are an unfortunate reality for Brooklyn residents, especially during storm season. Recent storms have cut power to nearly 21,000 Con Edison customers across Staten Island and Brooklyn, highlighting the importance of being prepared. Whether caused by severe weather, equipment failures, or grid overload, power outages can pose serious safety risks to families if they’re not properly prepared.
Understanding Brooklyn’s Power Grid Challenges
Brooklyn’s dense population and aging infrastructure make it particularly vulnerable to power outages during severe weather. Brooklyn saw roughly 2,800 outages at recent storm peaks, with isolated storm-related outages reported in neighborhoods such as Midwood, Kensington, and Marine Park. Wet snow, freezing rain, high winds, hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms, winter storms, and earthquakes can cause power outages that sometimes last for days or weeks, depending on the damage caused by a disaster.
Essential Pre-Storm Preparation
The key to staying safe during power outages is preparation before the storm hits. If an impending storm is expected to cause power outages, fully charge your cellphone, laptop, and other electronic devices. Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings to keep food cold (but remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored).
Take an inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity, plan for batteries and other alternative power sources to meet your needs when the power goes out, such as a portable charger or power bank, and have flashlights for every household member. Keep your car’s gas tank full, as pumps at gas stations may not work during a power outage.
Critical Safety Measures During Outages
When the power goes out, your first priority should be safety. Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges. Turn off lights and unplug electric appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer, and leave one light on to know when power is restored.
If possible, use flashlights instead of candles. If you must use candles, place them in safe holders away from anything that could catch fire and never leave a burning candle unattended. Flashlights and battery-powered lighting should be kept in the home and ready to use during a power outage – NEVER use candles as a light source.
Generator Safety: A Matter of Life and Death
Many Brooklyn families turn to generators during extended outages, but improper use can be deadly. Use a generator, but ONLY outdoors and away from windows. Never use a generator inside your home or garage, even if doors and windows are open – only use generators outside, more than 20 feet away from your home, doors, and windows.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can kill you, your family and pets. Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home. Keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding, as touching a wet generator or devices connected to one can cause electrical shock.
Food Safety and Health Considerations
Power outages can quickly compromise food safety. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed – an unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours, and a full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise, and consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately for a new supply. Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines, and find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures.
Staying Connected and Getting Help
Communication becomes critical during outages. Home phones, WiFi and possibly your cell phone need electricity, so try to conserve your cell phone battery. Customers can sign up for text alerts at coned.com/text and report outages and check service restoration status at conEd.com/reportoutage or with Con Edison’s mobile app for iOS or Android devices, or by calling 1-800-75-CONED.
If you experience electrical emergencies that require immediate professional attention, don’t hesitate to contact an Emergency Electrician Brooklyn. Electrified is an electrician based in Brooklyn, known for quality workmanship and an excellent reputation, offering hands-on service throughout your project.
Protecting Your Electrical Systems
When power is restored during an outage, there is the potential for an electrical surge that may damage appliances plugged into outlets, with the risk for damage especially high for sensitive electronic devices like computers, televisions and kitchen appliances – to prevent this, unplug sensitive appliances during a power outage.
Con Edison reminded the public to exercise caution around damaged equipment, as downed wires “may be live” and “for your safety, we may guard downed wires until crews make repairs”. Stay away from downed power lines and anything near them, and report them to your utility provider immediately.
Community Support and Recovery
Be a good neighbor – check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions, and those who may need additional assistance. Establish connections and relationships to people in your neighborhood so you will be better able to cooperate during a power outage.
Professional electrical services are known for honesty, integrity and providing professional and personal customer service, with certified electricians who have completed thorough training and are knowledgeable in safety regulations and local building codes, doing the work right the first time.
Building Long-Term Resilience
Brooklyn families should view power outage preparedness as an ongoing responsibility rather than a one-time effort. Consider purchasing a generator to provide power during an outage, but follow the manufacturer’s instructions and learn how to use it safely before an outage. Create and review your family emergency plan and assemble an emergency kit.
A well-stocked emergency supply kit can mean the difference between an inconvenience and a crisis. Ready.gov suggests the following items be included in a home emergency kit – water, food, a battery-operated radio, flashlights, extra batteries, and a first aid kit.
Power outages are unpredictable, but with proper preparation and safety knowledge, Brooklyn families can weather these storms safely. Remember that professional help is available when needed, and don’t take unnecessary risks with electrical systems during or after outages. Your family’s safety is worth the investment in preparation and professional electrical services when required.