# Power outage: what to do and how to stay safe > Report the outage to your utility; don’t assume others did. Use flashlights, not candles, unplug electronics, and stay far from downed lines. Run generators only outside, far from windows and doors, and use carbon monoxide alarms. Keep the fridge and freezer closed: about 4 hours for the fridge and 48 for a full freezer; throw out perishable food above 40°F for over 2 hours. If you rely on power for health, have a backup plan. Ask about warming or cooling centers. - URL: https://explained.page/power-outage - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=power-outage ## Step by step 1. **The power just went out?** Most outages are short, but storms can cause long ones. Here’s how to stay safe and protect your food. 2. **Report it to your utility.** Don’t assume neighbors did. Use the utility’s app, website or phone line, which often shows repair times too. 3. **Stay safe in the dark.** Use flashlights instead of candles, unplug electronics to avoid surges when power returns, and stay far away from downed power lines. 4. **Generators: outside only.** Never run a generator, grill or camp stove indoors or in a garage. Carbon monoxide can kill. Keep generators far from windows and doors, and use CO alarms. 5. **Keep the fridge and freezer closed.** A closed fridge keeps food safe about 4 hours; a full freezer about 48. Throw out perishable food that’s been above 40°F for over 2 hours. 6. **Rely on power for health? Have a plan.** If you use oxygen, a CPAP or medicine that needs a fridge, tell your utility, keep backup batteries, and know where to go. 7. **Too hot or too cold at home?** Long outages in extreme weather are dangerous. Ask your city or 211 about warming or cooling centers. ## Checklist - Report the outage to your utility - Use flashlights; unplug electronics - Stay far from downed lines - Generators outside only; use CO alarms - Keep fridge and freezer closed - Find warming or cooling centers ## Report it Report the outage through your utility’s app, website or phone line. Many show estimated repair times. ## Stay safe - Use flashlights and battery lanterns, not candles. - Unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from surges when power returns; leave one light on so you know. - Stay far away from downed power lines and anything touching them. Call 911 and your utility. - Check on older neighbors and people living alone. ## Generators and carbon monoxide Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or charcoal indoors, in a garage or near open windows. Carbon monoxide is invisible and deadly. Run generators outside, far from doors and windows, and have working CO alarms. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. ## Food safety Keep fridge and freezer doors closed. A closed refrigerator keeps food safe about 4 hours; a full freezer about 48 hours (about 24 if half full). Throw out perishable food that’s been above 40°F for more than 2 hours. When in doubt, throw it out. ## Medical needs If you depend on oxygen, a CPAP, a power wheelchair or refrigerated medicine, ask your utility about medical priority programs, keep backup batteries, and plan where to go. ## Extreme heat or cold Long outages in extreme weather are dangerous. Ask your city or call 211 about warming or cooling centers. ## Common questions ### Can I get money back for a power outage? Some utilities or states offer credits for long outages, but it varies. Check with your utility or state utility commission. Source page: https://explained.page/power-outage/questions/can-i-get-money-back-for-a-power-outage ### Does insurance cover spoiled food? Some homeowners and renters policies cover food spoilage up to a limit. Check your policy. Source page: https://explained.page/power-outage/questions/does-insurance-cover-spoiled-food ### What should I do first when the power goes out? Report it to your utility, use flashlights, unplug electronics, and keep the fridge and freezer closed. Source page: https://explained.page/power-outage/questions/what-should-i-do-first-when-the-power-goes-out ### How long is food safe in the fridge without power? About 4 hours if the door stays closed. A full freezer keeps food safe about 48 hours. Source page: https://explained.page/power-outage/questions/how-long-is-food-safe-in-the-fridge-without-power ### Is it safe to run a generator in the garage? No. Run generators only outdoors, far from windows and doors, because of deadly carbon monoxide. Source page: https://explained.page/power-outage/questions/is-it-safe-to-run-a-generator-in-the-garage ### What should I do about a downed power line? Stay far away from it and anything touching it, and call 911 and your utility. Source page: https://explained.page/power-outage/questions/what-should-i-do-about-a-downed-power-line ### Should I unplug things during a power outage? Yes, unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from surges when power comes back. Leave one light on to know when it returns. Source page: https://explained.page/power-outage/questions/should-i-unplug-things-during-a-power-outage ### What if I need power for medical equipment? Ask your utility about medical priority programs, keep backup batteries, and have a plan to go somewhere with power. Source page: https://explained.page/power-outage/questions/what-if-i-need-power-for-medical-equipment ## Official sources - [Ready.gov: power outages](https://www.ready.gov/power-outages) - [FoodSafety.gov: food after a power outage](https://www.foodsafety.gov/) - [CDC: carbon monoxide poisoning](https://www.cdc.gov/) To find your local office, search for: - "[your utility] report outage" - "[your city] warming or cooling center" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.