Here is a list of items you should have in your home and safety tips to get through a power outage, as provided by Lawrence Fire Chief Peter Takvorian and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Things you need:
- Flashlights, lanterns, candles;
- Matches, lighters;
- Firewood, kindling;
- Coleman Stove, hot plate;
- Bottled water or a few dozen gallons of clean tap water;
- Block ice or dry ice to keep your refrigerator and freezer as cold as possible;
- Battery-operated or hand-crank radio and clock;
- Cell phone with car charger;
- Generator;
- Canned goods and dry goods;
- Extra blankets and pillows, hats and mittens, heavy sweaters;
- First aid kit;
- Board games.
- Staying safe
- Put fresh batteries in fire and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Open the freezer and refrigerator as little as possible to preserve food. The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about four hours if it is unopened. Otherwise discard perishable items such as cheese, milk and eggs.
- A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours if unopened.
- Food can be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40 degrees or below.
- Make sure oven and stoves are off to prevent fires when the power resumes.
- Turn off all major appliances to prevent damage when the power resumes.
- Vent generators away from living space to avoid consuming carbon monoxide fumes.
- Make sure generator's extension cord isn't near water or running underneath the carpet.
- Do not put candles near combustible materials, including paper or upholstered furniture.
- Extinguish candles when they are 1�Ñ2-inch tall.
- Don't go near power lines or let your pets go near power lines. There is no guarantee they aren't energized.
- If it gets windy, be especially mindful of branches. They could snap.
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