As the state prepares for another round of winter storms, The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) wants you and your family to be prepared if the power goes out.
BEFORE A POWER OUTAGE
As we prepare for this storm season, an important step is to ensure you and your household are prepared for any hardships that may result, especially when if you lose power. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) encourages all Californians to be prepared for potential power outages.
Preparing for a Power Outage
There are steps you can take now to prepare for a power outage.
- Take inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity and plan for alternative power sources.
- Have flashlights ready in different parts of your home.
- Ensure cell phones and power banks are fully charged.
- You may have to stay at home during a power outage, think of other items your family may need like nonperishable food, water, blankets or toys close by.
Know Your Medical Needs
Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Know how long your medications can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.
Sign Up for Alerts
Stay informed and know where to go to get local resources to minimize disruption if your power is off.
Listos California
Pacific Gas & Electric
Southern California Edison
SDGE
Food Storage
- Prepare enough nonperishable food and water for every member of your household for three days.
- Open freezers and refrigerators only when necessary.
- Your refrigerator can keep food cold for four hours.
- A full freezer will maintain temperature for two days.
- Use coolers with ice if necessary.
DURING A POWER OUTAGE
When inclement weather affects a community, power may be interrupted. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) reminds all Californians to be safe when without power during this storm season.
Unplug Appliances
When power is restored during an outage, there is the potential for an electrical surge that may damage appliances plugged into outlets. The risk for damage is especially high for sensitive electronic devices like computers, televisions and kitchen appliances. To prevent this, unplug sensitive appliances during a power outage.
Food Storage
Open freezers and refrigerators only when necessary. Your refrigerator can keep food cold for four hours. A full freezer will maintain temperature for two days. Use coolers with ice if necessary.
Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Generators, camp stoves, or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows. Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home.
Generator Safety
Many families use generators as an alternative power source when the lights go out. There are several steps to keep in mind when using a generator to keep your family safe.
- 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.
- Keep generators away from buildings and anything flammable, including dry brush.
- Keep generators dry and protected from rain and flooding.
- Install working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home.
Downed Power Lines
Your power may have gone out because of high winds or intense weather. If there are downed lines on your property that result in your power going out, report them immediately, do not go near them.
Check on Your Neighbors
Check on those in your community who may need extra help during an outage. Older adults and young children are particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures that may coincide with a power outage.
AFTER A POWER OUTAGE
When inclement weather affects a community, power may be interrupted. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) would like to help you and your household safely navigate the return of power to your home during this storm season.
Check Appliances and Electronics
When power returns to the home, resist the temptation to switch on every appliance at once. Begin by turning on essential devices one at a time. This gradual approach helps prevent a sudden surge in power demand, reducing the risk of overloading circuits or causing damage to electronics.
Inspect for Damage
Conduct a quick visual inspection of your home’s electrical system. Look for any signs of damage such as frayed wires, sparks or burnt outlets. You may need to reach out to your utility company if there are any damages.
Replenish Emergency Supplies
Soon after a power outage, be sure to replenish any supplies you used to be prepared for the next power outage. This includes any items you may have used from your emergency kit.
As we prepare for this storm season, an important step is to ensure you and your household are prepared for any hardships that may result, especially when if you lose power. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) encourages all Californians to be prepared for potential power outages.
Preparing for a Power Outage
There are steps you can take now to prepare for a power outage.
- Take inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity and plan for alternative power sources.
- Have flashlights ready in different parts of your home.
- Ensure cell phones and power banks are fully charged.
- You may have to stay at home during a power outage, think of other items your family may need like nonperishable food, water, blankets or toys close by.
Know Your Medical Needs
Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Know how long your medications can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.
Sign Up for Alerts
Stay informed and know where to go to get local resources to minimize disruption if your power is off.
Listos California
Pacific Gas & Electric
Southern California Edison
SDGE
Food Storage
- Prepare enough nonperishable food and water for every member of your household for three days.
- Open freezers and refrigerators only when necessary.
- Your refrigerator can keep food cold for four hours.
- A full freezer will maintain temperature for two days.
- Use coolers with ice if necessary.
Mientras el estado se prepara para otra ronda de tormentas invernales, la Oficina de Servicios de Emergencia del Gobernador de California (Cal OES) quiere que usted y su familia estén preparados en caso de que se registre un corte en el suministro de electricidad.
ANTES DE UN CORTE DE ENERGÍA
A continuación, algunos consejos que puede implementar para prepararse para un corte de energía.
- Haga un inventario de los artículos que dependen de la electricidad y considere fuentes de energía alternativas.
- Tenga linternas disponibles en diferentes partes de su casa.
- Asegúrese de que los teléfonos móviles y otras fuentes de energía estén completamente cargados.
- Es posible que tengas que quedarte en casa durante un corte de energía; piensa en otros artículos que tu familia pueda necesitar, como alimentos no perecederos, agua, cobijas y baterías extras.
De igual manera:
- Separa como abrir manualmente la Puerta de su cochera.
- Si usted cuenta con un generador, asegúrese de que puede ser operado sin poner en riesgo la salud de su familia.
Conozca sus necesidades médicas
Hable con su proveedor médico sobre un plan de corte de energía para dispositivos médicos que funcionan con electricidad y medicamentos que necesitan refrigeración. Considere el tiempo que sus medicamentos pueden permanecer bajo temperaturas más altas y reciba instrucciones sobre el manejo adecuado de los medicamentos que son vitales para usted o algún miembro de su familia.
Regístrate para recibir alertas
Manténgase informado y sepa dónde acudir para obtener recursos locales para minimizar las interrupciones si se corta la electricidad.
Listos California
Pacific Gas & Electric
Southern California Edison
SDGE
Almacenamiento de alimentos
- Prepare suficiente agua y alimentos no perecederos para cada miembro de su hogar durante tres días.
- Abra los congeladores y refrigeradores sólo cuando sea necesario.
- Su refrigerador puede mantener los alimentos fríos durante cuatro horas.
- Un congelador lleno mantendrá la temperatura durante dos días.
- Utilice hieleras con hielo si es necesario.
RECURSOS ADICIONALES
- Prepareforpowerdown.com – Consejos para prepararse para un corte en el suministro de energía.
- chhs.ca.gov –Guía de recursos del Departamento de Servicios Públicos Humanos y de Salud de California.
- ready.gov – Información del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de E. Unidos sobre preparación contra desastres
- readyforwildfire.org – Página de preparación contra incendios forestales de CAL FIRE.
- cpuc.ca.gov/wildfiresinfo – Información sobre la labor de seguridad contra incendios forestales de CPUC (Comisión de Servicios Públicos)
- cafiresafecouncil.org – Página del consejo de seguridad contra incendios de California
- noaa.gov – Administración Nacional del Océano y la Atmósfera
DURANTE UN CORTE DE ENERGÍA
Desenchufe los electrodomésticos
Cuando se restablece la energía durante un corte, existe la posibilidad de que se produzca una sobretensión eléctrica que pueda dañar los electrodomésticos conectados a los tomacorrientes. El riesgo de daños es especialmente alto en el caso de dispositivos electrónicos sensibles como ordenadores, televisores y electrodomésticos de cocina. Para evitar esto, desenchufe los aparatos sensibles durante un corte de energía.
Almacenamiento de alimentos
Abra los congeladores y refrigeradores sólo cuando sea necesario. Su refrigerador puede mantener los alimentos fríos durante cuatro horas. Un congelador lleno mantendrá la temperatura durante dos días. Utilice hieleras con si es necesario.
Evite el envenenamiento por monóxido de carbono
Los generadores, estufas de campamento o parrillas de carbón siempre deben usarse al aire libre y mínimo, a 20 pies de distancia de las ventanas. Nunca utilice una estufa o un horno de gas para calentar su casa.
Seguridad del generador
Muchas familias utilizan generadores como fuente de energía alternativa:
- Nunca use un generador dentro de su casa o cochera, incluso si las puertas y ventanas están abiertas.
- Utilice generadores únicamente en el exterior, a más de 20 pies de distancia de su casa, puertas y ventanas.
- Mantenga los generadores alejados de los edificios y de cualquier elemento inflamable, incluida la maleza seca.
- Mantenga los generadores secos y protegidos de la lluvia y las inundaciones.
- Instale detectores de monóxido de carbono que funcionen en cada nivel de su hogar.
Líneas eléctricas caídas
Es posible que se haya cortado la luz debido a fuertes viento. Si hay líneas caídas en su propiedad que provocan un corte de energía, no se acerca a ellas y de parte a las autoridades.
Controle a sus vecinos
Verifique a aquellos en su comunidad que puedan necesitar ayuda adicional durante un apagón. Los adultos mayores y los niños pequeños son particularmente vulnerables a las temperaturas extremas que pueden coincidir con un corte de energía.