Spring Power Outages Preparation

From the South Fire District:

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As the first day of spring approaches on March 20, the South Fire District wants to remind residents to make another change that’s important — changing the batteries in their flashlights and portable radios.

The spring and summer months brings with them heightened awareness of severe weather. Storms, tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural disasters can instantly disrupt our daily lives by suddenly leaving us without electrical power.

A short power outage might result in no more than the inconvenience of having to reset electric clocks.

But loss of electrical power for longer durations can place us at risk of injury, illness and even death.

To save lives and prevent needless injuries in Middletown, the South Fire District has joined forces with the Energizer Keep Safe. Keep Going® campaign and the International Association of Fire Chiefs for the spring campaign. The program urges all Americans to adopt a simple habit: changing flashlight and portable radio batteries on the first day of spring, this year on March 20.

An emergency power kit can help families stay safe and connected in the event of a power outage. An emergency power kit includes these essential elements: portable radio, working flashlights, portable cell phone charger and extra batteries.

Working flashlights, one for each member of the family, help people to avoid injuries in a darkened environment. By contrast, lighted candles are a risky lighting source. Candles pose a particularly dangerous risk of fires in stormy conditions.

A portable battery-powered radio provides vital information about conditions that led to the outage. It alerts the public to continuing weather threats. It is a source of advice and information about emergency help and news of when power might be restored.

A portable cell phone charger will help families stay connected during prolonged power outages.

A portable radio can be a family’s most informative link to the world. But neither the flashlight nor the radio will be of use unless they are in working order and have a fresh supply of batteries.

For more information about home emergency safety, call the South Fire District at 860-347-6661 or the Energizer Keep Safe. Keep Going® hotline at 314-727-5700, x108.