Prepare For Outages

Learn how to prepare your home for a power outage and what to do if one occurs.

FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO
PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES

BEFORE AN OUTAGE

Make sure your phone number and contact information is up to date in our system. The best way is through your SmartHub account. If you don’t have a SmartHub account call our office and the billing department can update your information. Add your mobile number to your account allowing you to send and receive status updates.
Make sure your emergency outage kit is fully stocked and easily accessible.
Develop an emergency plan that addresses any special medical needs you or your family members have. If you or a family member requires some form of life-support, make sure you are on the Cooperative’s Critical Medical Account list before an outage occurs. You may also consider obtaining a backup source of power if the power does go out for an extended period. Keep your backup generator in good condition and test it periodically.
Purchase appliances with built-in surge protection or install surge protectors to help safeguard valuable electronic equipment such as computers and home entertainment systems. Plug computers and other sensitive equipment into a separate, grounded circuit to isolate them from fluctuations caused when a major appliance restarts (such as your room air conditioner or refrigerator). Consider having a lightning arrester installed at your main circuit panel.

IF YOUR POWER GOES OUT

Report your outage immediately. Do not rely on your neighbors to report your outage.
Stay away from downed power lines, flooded areas and debris. Treat all fallen wires and anything touching them as though they are energized and report downed lines by calling (800) 648-9401.
Turn off all appliances, including your furnace, air conditioner, water heater and water pump. Leave on one lamp to know when power has been restored. That way you can avoid a circuit overload and another outage that may result when power is restored to all appliances at once.
Keep freezer and refrigerator doors closed. Food will stay frozen for 36 to 48 hours in a fully loaded freezer if you keep the door closed. A half-full freezer will generally keep food frozen for 24 hours. For refrigerated items, pack milk, other dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, gravy, and spoil-able leftovers into a cooler surrounded by ice. Inexpensive Styrofoam coolers are also fine for this purpose.
Follow safe operating procedures for generators. Never operate one inside your home or in an enclosed space, such as a garage.
Listen to the local radio station on your battery-operated radio for regular news and weather updates. Follow Crow Wing Power on Facebook for regular outage updates.
Make sure your area is sufficiently ventilated if using portable stoves, kerosene heaters or lanterns.
Avoid travel, if possible, but if you must, please help protect line workers and crews when you see them on the roadside making emergency repairs. Move over from the lane nearest the workers or slow down until you can safely pass the work site.
When it is hot outside, close drapes, and blinds on the sunny side of your house, drink plenty of fluids, take your pets to a cool basement location or go to an air-conditioned civic center, mall, or library if necessary to stay cool.
When it is cold outside, open your blinds during the day, cover windows with drapes at night, avoid alcoholic beverages and gather in a central room where there is an alternative heat source, such as a fireplace or kerosene space heater. If the indoor temperature drops to 55°F or below, open your faucets slightly so they constantly drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
Do not hesitate to contact a physician if you have any health-related questions.