It’s 5:45 on a typical evening. You’re in the kitchen preparing dinner when, unexpectedly, darkness descends. Quiet fills the house, as the TV is no longer heard; the pots on the stove cease to boil; and the hum of electronics is silenced. These are the unmistakable sounds of a power outage.

Power outages are never welcome and are, for the most part, unexpected. We rely on electricity so much for our daily lives that when an outage occurs, it’s a disruption. However, if you know what to do and take safety precautions, you’ll be better able to weather it.

First, before calling your electric cooperative, check to see if others in your area are without power. If those around you have power, check your home’s panel box. A blown fuse or tripped circuit could be at fault.
If you’ve determined the outage isn’t due to an issue on your end, or if it’s a widespread outage, report it to your local electric cooperative. Don’t assume others have done so already.

Once you have reported the outage, please know the line crews will work diligently to restore power. Make sure you are connected to the co-op’s social media pages to receive restoration updates. Most co-ops now have a presence on some form of social media.

“When an outage occurs, restoring your power is our number one priority. We appreciate your patience as we bring your homes back online,” said Rick Coons, CEO of Indiana Electric Cooperatives.
Other tips to keep in mind during an outage:

• Use generators, grills and similar items outdoors only. If you connect a generator to your home, alert your local cooperative.
• Turn off appliances and electronics to prevent circuit overload when the power returns. Leave a lamp on, though, so you know when power is restored.
• Have an emergency kit on hand containing items such as bottled water, batteries, blankets and flashlights.
• Avoid downed power lines around your home. The lines could still be energized.
• Keep the door to your refrigerator or freezer closed. If your door seals are tight, your food will normally be safe for several hours. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends throwing away food that has warmed to more than 40F.

No one wants, or likes, a power outage. However, knowing the steps to take during an outage will keep you safe and help you through it.

Sources: CDC, Central Virginia Electric Cooperative

When a power outage hits:

• Check to see if others in the area are without power. If not, check your home’s panel box. A blown fuse or tripped circuit could be at fault.
• If the outage isn’t due to an issue on your end, or if there’s a widespread outage, report the outage to your electric cooperative.
• Get connected to your co-op’s social media sites to receive updates on power restoration. Know that crews are working diligently to restore power.

Safety tips during a power outage:

• Use generators, grills and similar items outdoors only. If you connect a generator to your home, alert your local cooperative.
• Keep the door to your refrigerator or freezer closed. If your door seals are tight, your food will normally be safe for several hours. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends throwing away food that has warmed to more than 40F.
• Turn off appliances and electronics to prevent circuit overload when the power returns. Leave a lamp on, though, so you know when power is restored.
• Have an emergency kit on hand containing items such as bottled water, batteries, blankets and flashlights.
• Avoid downed power lines around your home. The lines could still be energized.