Power outages can happen anytime. There are many potential causes, including a bad storm, damage to power lines, or a faulty electrical system. No matter the cause, you’ll need to take the appropriate steps to keep your household safe and comfortable. Ideally, you should have some safety equipment on hand, such as a backup generator. However, this may not power the entire home. Here’s what to do until you can restore power to normal. 

4 Steps to Take When You Lose Power 

1. Unplug Appliances

When the power returns, electricity can surge back at elevated levels. This can severely damage electrical devices and appliances. Unplug he stove, computer, TV, and other household items, which may be susceptible to damage from high voltage. 

2. Check the Breaker Box

Check the fuses in your breaker box to see if circuits were tripped. Sometimes, restoring power is as easy as resetting them. If the power doesn’t return after you’ve reset the circuits, the problem is likely a neighborhood-wide issue. If it’s safe to do so, look outside to see if others appear to have power. Don’t alter the breaker box yourself to avoid electric shock or fire. If you need light to find the breaker box, use safety equipment like a flashlight rather than candles. 

3. Stay Safe

Locate your emergency kit and other safety equipment. If you have a generator, use this where it’s needed most. For example, if you lose power in winter, you may need it to power a space heater, whereas in the summer you may want to use it to power your refrigerator. If you’re not using a generator to power it, keep the refrigerator and freezer closed to keep cold air in. After four hours without power, refrigerated meat, milk, most cheeses, cooked pasta and grains, and many vegetables should be discarded. 

4. Know When to Call for Help

In many cases, local electricity is lost due to a storm or downed power line, in which case you’ll need to wait for the authorities to handle the issue. If the outage is only in your home, however, it may be due to an overloaded circuit, faulty wiring, or an old electrical system. If you’re not sure how to restore power safely on your own, call an electrician.

Be prepared for an electrical outage or other potential emergencies with safety equipment from Atlas Bolt & Supply in Chattanooga, TN. For over 45 years, this local plumbing and construction supply store has been the community’s go-to for all sorts of home improvement and repair tools and safety equipment, from power tools to generators. Call (423) 265-2341 to speak with a friendly team member, and visit the website to learn more about what they can do for you.