How to Prepare for Power Outages in DC
Power outages in DC are frequently due to weather-related destruction that can cause outages that last from a few hours to a few days. Once a damaged area becomes a secured location, Pepco personnel work urgently to get power back on and running. Updates on power outages and tips for all things related to electricity can be found on the Pepco website or app.
While most outages in DC are on the shorter side, we want to share some quick tips so that you can be prepared for any scenario.
Stay Informed
Find a way to have access to a reliable news outlet on tv, radio, cell phone, or the internet. Government news outlets will provide accurate information when it can be confirmed and Pepco’s outage map is updated frequently.
Pro Tip: Know the difference between a brownout and a blackout. Brownouts are partial outages that occur when utility companies reduce the voltage available to the power grid. Some of your appliances may still be on, but it’s recommended to unplug anything that isn’t essential.
Emergency Apps for your Phones Include:
Pepco App (where you can have access to your account and current updates on outages)
Pro Tip: Not seeing a reported outage? There are other reasons your power could be off, such as a tripped breaker. Especially in older homes, using too many appliances at once can cause your circuit breaker to overload. If this happens too often, it’s time to call an electrician.
Have a Family Emergency Plan
For any household and for any emergency, it’s important to have an emergency plan that includes how to get ahold of members of the household and where to meet. Select a household member meeting location and make sure that each family member knows how to get there. This can be practiced with children and new roommates. A map can be made and kept in a safe location to review every few months.
Parent and Caregiver Tip: Occasionally ask children what the plan is or where their special meeting place is located. If they don’t know the answer, it’s time for a review. Items you can talk about are safe neighbors to find, the quickest way to get to the safe place, and areas to avoid.
Emergency Tool Kit
Have an easily accessible tool kit prepared for case of emergency. This should include a first aid kit, flashlights with extra batteries, chargers, portable chargers, and backup batteries for medical assistive devices like hearing aids and wheelchair batteries. It’s also recommended to store a few gallons of water.
Candles are not a reliable source of light and can lead to a fire. Only rely on battery-operated lanterns and flashlights for light.
Pro Tip: Plastic ice packs stored in the freezer can be helpful when the power goes out for a long duration of time. Do not open refrigerator or freezer doors during power outages. Refrigerators keep their temperature for 4 hours after an outage when the door is not opened, and refrigerators keep their temperature for two days.
If you Find Yourself in a Power Outage:
- Locate emergency kit and household members.
- Try to determine the cause of the outage before calling it in. Is this a city, building, or home power outage?
- Report the outage to Pepco if you don’t already see updates on their app.
- Unplug computers and appliances to protect them from a power surge when the power is turned back on. Leave lights plugged in as an indicator that power has returned
- Keep refrigerator and freezer closed
- Fill a few large containers with water in case the water service is also disconnected.
- Secure your home and find a place to go with electricity if Pepco doesn’t have a timeline for resolution.
Prepping for emergencies is one type of preventative maintenance, and we know how important prevention is when it comes to keeping a healthy home. Happy homes make for happy residents, who cultivate strong, local communities that sustain our city, DC. Check out our other posts for more happy home content!