Power outages have a way of striking at the most inconvenient times. From bad weather to traffic accidents, there are a lot of reasons why you may find yourself sitting in the dark. Most often, these incidents only last a few hours while your electric service provider works to restore electricity. However, there are still ways to make this time safer and more comfortable, as the guide below explains. 

Do:

Figure out the cause of the problem. 

When the lights first go off, check your neighbor’s houses to see if they have power. If you’re the only one without, check with your electric service provider to see what the issue is. If you’re part of an area that’s affected, there was likely an outage. Since power surges are common under these circumstances, protect your electronics and appliances from damage by unplugging them until the problem has been resolved. 

Use flashlights instead of candles. 

Candles put off a limited amount of light, so it takes several of them to illuminate an area. Each candle also poses a potential fire hazard in your home. If you have kids or pets, there is an increased risk of candles being tipped over. Stick to flashlights and glow sticks instead. 

Don’t: 

Open the fridge and freezer more than you need to. 

Every time you open the fridge or freezer, you let the cold out, consequently decreasing the time your food inside will stay good. If you leave the doors closed, the contents should keep for at least four hours. 

Waste hot water. 

What you have in your hot water tank is all the hot water you have until the power comes back on. Without electricity, there’s no way for the tank to warm up more. However, it will often retain heat for several hours. Therefore, shower early on in the day and quickly if possible. 

Need to report an outage in Espanola, Cuba, or Jemez Springs, NM?  Call Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative’s hotline at (877) 753-0095, use their online portal, or access the JMEC app on your smartphone. On normal days, call them at (505) 753-2105 to discuss your electric service.