The Union City Fire Department is concerned that you be as informed a possible about fire safety during a power outage.  Below, you will find a variety of tools to help you understand how to be prepared for a power outage as well as steps you can take during a power outage to keep you and your families safe.

Be Prepared!

    During the outage your area may be affected by a partial power outage or a complete blackout.  Before an outage it's a good idea to be prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hours.  Are you?  Prepare today by gathering a few basic emergency supplies and placing them in an emergency kit that's easy to locate in the dark.  We suggest including these items:

What You'll Need:

• Flashlights and batteries
• Candles or lanterns and oil
• Dry matches
• Battery operated radio
• Bottled water
• A corded telephone (cordless phones will not work without power)
• Blankets
• Manual can opener
• Stock up on nonperishable food items
• Dry and canned food
• Make sure you have adequate supplies of prescription medications

What You'll Need To Know:

• The location of your main switch whether a fuse box or circuit board
• How to reset a circuit or safely change a fuse
• The phone number for your power utility
• How to manually override your garage door opener

Anticipate Outages:

• Pick up extra batteries
• Fill several large containers with water
• Turn you freezers and refrigerators to the coldest setting
• If you use a generator, get enough gas to have on hand.

If The Power Goes Off:

• If none of your lights work, check to see if your neighbor's power is out, too.  This will help you determine if the electricity is out in your whole neighborhood, or just your home.
• If someone is the home depends upon electrical medical equipment, such as an iron lung, contact the police or fire department immediately, or take the patient to the hospital at once.
• Telephone lines are separate from electrical lines.
• Most burglar alarm systems have battery backups.
• It is suggested that you unplug or turn off appliances when there is an outage.  When the power is restored, turn them on, one by one, to prevent an overload.
• If the power outage is from a source other that your own home, turn off the main circuit breaker.
• Disconnect all major equipment, as well as the heating or air conditioning system that might be in operation at the time of the outage.
• Do not open the refrigerator/freezer when power is off.  A refrigerator keeps food cold for a few hours during an outage, while food in the freezer can star frozen for two-to-three days-but the doors must remain closed.  A full freezer keeps food frozen longer that a half-full one.
• Pay special attention to the very young and the very old for signs of hypothermia
• Don't light a fire indoors.  If you're cold, put on layers of warm clothing instead.  Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors.
• Keep outdoor grills, stoves or ovens outside.  They are a fire hazard inside your home and the exhaust gases could also cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Don't leave burning candles unattended.  They can also be a fire hazard.
• Don't use extension cords between homes or across yards or streets.  Such use could cause electrocution and fire.
• Unplug sensitive electronic equipment.  When power is restored, use surge protectors to protect computers, fax machines, answering machines, televisions, stereos and appliances
• Drink safe water.  Remember electric pumps, operating wells or pumping stations may not operate during a power outage.