What to do

Use flashlights or battery lanterns, not candles, to lower the risk of fire.
Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as you can.
Unplug electronics and appliances to protect them from power surges when power comes back. Leave one light on so you know when it returns.
Stay safe from heat or cold. Go to a cooling or warming center, or a friend’s home with power, if your home gets too hot or cold.
Check on neighbors, especially older adults and people with medical needs.
Stay away from downed power lines. Assume they are live.

Generator safety

Use generators outdoors only, at least 20 feet from windows, doors, vents, and attached garages. Never use one inside a home, garage, basement, or shed.
Keep the generator dry, and plug appliances into it with heavy-duty outdoor extension cords.
Let it cool before you refuel it.
Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. This can send power back into the lines and hurt utility workers.
Never use a gas stove, oven, grill, or camp stove to heat your home.

A closed refrigerator keeps food cold for about 4 hours.
A full freezer keeps its temperature for about 48 hours (about 24 hours if half full) if the door stays closed.
Throw out refrigerated foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, and leftovers that have been above 40°F (4°C) for 2 hours or more (1 hour if it’s hotter than 90°F).
Frozen food that still has ice crystals or is 40°F or colder can be refrozen.
A fridge thermometer helps you check. When in doubt, throw it out. Never taste food to see if it’s safe.

Keep flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered radio, and phone power banks in your emergency kit.
If you use a medical device that needs power, talk with your doctor and power company about a backup plan.
Install carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup.