Of all the visitors your household is likely to receive this winter, one is certain to be extremely unwelcome—the power outage. Unfortunately, power outages tend to be more common in cold weather, when snow and low temperatures can disrupt power lines. This can leave households without working furnaces for hours or even days. If the lights go out, follow these guidelines to protect yourself and your family:
- Check to see whether your home has blown a fuse or a circuit. If you cannot find anything wrong, the power outage is probably due to weather conditions, and other houses in your area may be affected. It’s a good idea to check on any elderly neighbors who might need assistance.
- Report the power outage to your energy provider and let them know if there are any downed power lines in your neighborhood. Don’t contact the police or any other emergency service except to report a downed power line, and never approach such a power line yourself.
- You can use a fireplace or wood stove to warm up. Never use a kerosene heater or any other type of heater designed for the outdoors to generate heat indoors; this could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Dress warmly, and wear gloves and a knitted hat if you have them. Your water tank should stay warm for at least a few hours after the power outage, so taking a quick shower is a good way to warm up in a hurry.
- Leave your refrigerator and freezer closed; the less open you open them, the more likely it is that the food will stay cold. If the power is out for longer than two hours, place any perishable items such as meat or fish in a cooler filled with ice.
In need of emergency HVAC service and repair? Presidential Heating & Air Conditioning provides the best heating repair services around! Call us today at (301) 900-5559 to talk to one of our representatives or visit our website for more information about our services.