Strong winds bring Pierce Co. power outages. How to prepare, what to do if you lose power
Over 1,000 people in Pierce County were left without power on Tuesday morning due to strong winds that reached 40 mph to 45 mph.
As of early Tuesday afternoon, there were still seven power outages in Pierce County, according to the Tacoma Public Utilities power outage map. Several were caused by fallen trees on power lines.
Strong winds will continue through Tuesday night and can cause more power outages.
Here is how to prepare and what to do if your power goes out.
How do I prepare for a power outage?
According to the Washington State Department of Health, here are some things you can do to prepare for a power outage:
Make sure your disaster preparedness kit contains light sticks, flashlights, a battery-powered radio with extra batteries and a wind-up clock.
Have a corded telephone available because cordless phones will not work when the power is out.
Have a safe alternative heat source and supply of fuel. Never burn charcoal, a gas oven, or use a generator indoors.
If you own an electric garage door opener, know how to open the door without power.
Other things to keep handy are portable chargers or power banks.
What do I do during a power outage?
Here are some things that you can do during a power outage to make sure you remain safe and prevent equipment or appliances from being damaged when power surges back on, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
Turn off lights and electrical appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer.
Even if it is dark, turn light switches and buttons on lamps or appliances to the “off” position.
Unplug computers and other sensitive equipment to protect them from possible surges when the power is restored.
Leave one lamp on so you will know when power is restored. Wait at least 15 minutes after power is restored before turning on other appliances.
Never use gas ovens, gas ranges, barbecues or portable or propane heaters for indoor heating—they use oxygen and create carbon monoxide that can cause suffocation.
Use battery-operated flashlights or glow sticks for lighting instead of candles for fire safety.
Using a kerosene heater, gas lantern or stove inside the house can be dangerous. Maintain proper ventilation at all times to avoid a build up of toxic fumes, and be sure to have a carbon monoxide detector.
Stay away from downed power lines and sagging trees with broken limbs.
Keep the refrigerator closed to keep food from going bad. A typical refrigerator freezer will keep food cold for up to a day.
Use an ice chest packed with ice or snow to keep food cold. If you are using dry ice to save frozen food, do not handle the dry ice with your bare hands.
This story was originally published January 9, 2024 at 1:47 PM.
