What to do in case of prolonged summer power outages

Texas officials say power outages could last weeks in parts of Houston after thunderstorms with hurricane force winds ravaged the city and killed at least four people.

The storm knocked out power to nearly a million homes and businesses across the region as temperatures hovered around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 Celsius). Several transmission towers were taken down and thousands of utility workers flocked to the area, said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the county’s top elected official.

What should you do to stay cool and safe at home when summer power outages keep you from using fans and air conditioners? Emergency services and medical experts share their advice.

HOW TO STAY COOL

To avoid overheating, it is essential to stay hydrated. If your home is without water during a power outage, be sure to stock up on bottled water.

It is also important to refrain from exertion, if possible. Avoid the sun, especially during the hottest parts of the day, and stay in the shade when outside.

When it is hot, the body cools itself by sweating. Soaking T-shirts or other clothing with water, or frequently spraying water on your skin, can help enhance this effect, said Zachary McKenna, a postdoctoral researcher in the University’s department of internal medicine. of Texas Southwestern.

“It does two things that are quite beneficial: One, you have the opportunity for all that water to evaporate from the skin and actually cool the body. And secondly, it reduces your own body’s need to produce that sweat,” he said.

McKenna says such strategies could be particularly helpful for older adults, because our bodies produce less sweat as we age.

If the temperature inside your home during the day is the same, or warmer, than outside, you can open the windows to increase airflow – but be sure to keep the curtains closed , especially if the windows receive direct sunlight, he added. At night, if temperatures drop, opening windows helps increase the flow of cooler air.

FOOD SAFETY

During a power outage, food in your refrigerator can stay cold for about four hours, and what’s in your freezer can stay cold for up to two days, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

You can transfer the food to a cooler. But make sure there is enough ice and cold packs to keep the cooler temperature below 40 degrees (4.4 C), says the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Add more ice as it melts.

If food that needs to be kept cold has been exposed to temperatures of at least 40 degrees (4.4 C) for more than four or 48 hours, depending on whether it was refrigerated or frozen, it should be discarded so Don’t give yourself food poisoning, according to FEMA. If the food in your refrigerator begins to have an unusual smell, texture, or color, it should also be thrown out.

People should look for nonperishable foods, such as canned goods, that don’t require refrigeration.

If you use camp stoves or charcoal grills for cooking, be sure to use them outdoors and at least 20 feet from windows, FEMA says.

HOW TO CHARGE PHONES AND DEVICES

One way to preserve your cell phone battery is to limit calls, texts, and app usage. Reducing the brightness of the display screen or putting a phone in low power mode can also help. Turning it off can also help save battery power.

A number of suppliers offer affordable solar chargers for phones and other devices.

You can also charge your phone in your car. But FEMA warns that you should always run your car outside, not in an enclosed space like a garage, to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Generators, which run largely on gasoline and diesel, can be used as an external power source in the event of an outage. But it is essential to know how to use it safely.

Generators should always be used outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and garages, according to FEMA.

Those who use generators should install battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors inside their homes, FEMA says, because the gas is odorless and colorless. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.

Generators should be kept dry and protected from rain or flooding, as FEMA warns that touching a wet generator can cause an electric shock. Before refilling, make sure they have cooled down.

Heavy-duty extension cords should be used to connect appliances or appliances to generators. And extra care should be taken when plugging a generator into a home power source because doing so could cause a dangerous electrical surge, according to FEMA.

“You don’t want to connect your generator to your system without having an isolation switch to prevent it from charging the power lines coming out of your house,” said Kenneth Gray, a lecturer at the University of New Haven . “Because it could lead to electrocution of people working in the area,” such as crews restoring downed power lines, he said.

Generator transfer switches and other necessary equipment must be installed by an electrician in accordance with FEMA recommendations.

OTHER SAFETY TIPS

Officials recommend unplugging electronic devices in your home to avoid damage from electrical surges. And for lighting, battery-operated flashlights and lanterns should be used instead of candles, which can pose a fire hazard.

It’s also important to check on the elderly and those with disabilities or living alone when you can, McKenna said.

“Make sure they know the strategies and have someone to go to if they need help,” he said.