Do’s and Don’ts of Power Outages: Keep Your Family and Appliances Safe
When the power goes out, your home suddenly feels unfamiliar. The lights are off, appliances stop running, and your normal routine is interrupted. Whether it lasts a few minutes or several days, a power outage can put your safety, comfort, and property at risk.
In this blog, we’ll break down the essential dos and don’ts of power outages so you know exactly how to respond.
Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
The first thing to do is stay calm. Power outages can feel disruptive, but panicking won’t help. Start by checking whether the outage is isolated to your home or affecting your neighborhood.
Check your breaker panel to make sure the issue isn’t just a tripped circuit.
Look outside to see if nearby homes have power.
Call your utility company or check their outage map online to report the outage and get updates.
Also, take a moment to turn off or unplug high-powered appliances that may have been running, like your oven or space heaters. This prevents sudden power draws when electricity is restored, which could damage circuits or overload your system.
Don’t Use Unsafe Light or Heat Sources
It might be tempting to light a few candles when the lights go out, but open flames come with serious fire risks. The same goes for using grills, camp stoves, or gas ovens to heat your home.
Avoid:
Burning candles (especially around pets or children)
Using generators indoors or in enclosed spaces
Running gas stoves or charcoal grills for warmth
Instead, use:
Flashlights or LED lanterns
Battery-powered lights
Extra blankets and layers of clothing to stay warm
If you rely on electric heat, make sure you have safe backup heating options or consider a standby generator that can power your HVAC system.
Exposure to freezing temperatures in colder climates can be dangerous, especially for children, older adults, and people with chronic illnesses. If your heat is out and you don’t have a generator, try to gather in one room to conserve body heat and block drafts under doors and windows.
Do Protect Perishable Food
Refrigerators and freezers don’t stay cold forever. Knowing how long your food can last without power helps prevent waste and protects your health.
Key guidelines:
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. This helps retain the cold.
A full freezer can keep food safe for about 48 hours. A half-full freezer lasts about 24 hours.
The refrigerator keeps food safe for about 4 hours if the door remains closed.
Stocking your freezer more fully (even with frozen water bottles) can help it stay cold longer.
Once power returns, use a food thermometer to check that items have stayed below 40°F. If any perishable food has been above 40°F for more than two hours, it’s safest to throw it away.
Common items to toss include:
Raw meat, poultry, and fish
Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and soft cheeses
Eggs and any dishes containing them
Leftovers and opened sauces
Investing in a standby backup generator can keep your fridge and freezer running, so you don’t lose groceries or worry about food safety.
Don’t Plug or Unplug Devices Without Caution
Avoid plugging in sensitive electronics right after power returns or using multiple power strips on one outlet. Instead, unplug computers, TVs, and chargers during the outage and use surge protectors where possible. Wait until power is stable before reconnecting major appliances.
It’s a good idea to leave one light on so you’ll know when power is restored. Then, reconnect devices gradually, starting with essential systems like your fridge.
For better protection, consider whole-home surge protection or invest in a generator with built-in voltage regulation.
Do Stay Informed
Staying updated during an outage helps you make smart decisions. A storm or regional outage might require different precautions than a short blackout.
Tools to stay informed:
Battery-powered or hand-crank emergency radio
Phone battery packs or solar chargers
Local emergency alert systems or weather apps
Make sure all family members know where to find these tools. In more extended outages, stay tuned to local emergency broadcasts for shelter locations, relief resources, and restoration estimates.
Don’t Forget About Water and Plumbing
Power outages can also affect your water supply, especially if you rely on an electric well pump or live in a rural area.
Things to watch for:
Low or no water pressure
Toilets that don’t refill
Risk of frozen pipes in cold weather
If you expect the power to be out for a long time:
Limit water usage
Shut off the main water valve if the pipes may freeze
Use stored bottled water for drinking and hygiene
If you rely on well water, fill bathtubs or large containers with water to flush toilets. Also, consider insulating pipes or leaving faucets to drip slowly to prevent freezing.
Homes with sump pumps should also take extra care. If the sump pump fails during a storm, it could flood the basement. A backup generator ensures this doesn’t happen.
Have an Emergency Kit Ready
Preparedness makes all the difference when the power goes out unexpectedly. A well-stocked emergency kit gives you the tools and resources you need to stay safe.
Essentials include:
Flashlights with extra batteries
First aid supplies
Bottled water (one gallon per person per day)
Non-perishable food (enough for at least 3 days)
Manual can opener
Medications and backup copies of important documents
Portable phone chargers or solar banks
Extra blankets and warm clothing
If you have pets, include food and water for them too. Keep everything in a waterproof bin or backpack so it’s easy to grab in a hurry.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late to Prepare
Many people don’t think about emergency preparedness until the lights are already off. By then, it’s too late to run to the store for batteries or water.
Prepare ahead by:
Testing flashlights and radios
Charging backup power banks
Keeping your emergency kit current
Scheduling regular maintenance for your generator, if you have one
Invest in a Standby Generator for Long-Term Safety
Temporary fixes like flashlights and battery packs only go so far. A standby generator helps you avoid food waste, temperature extremes, and the inconvenience of losing internet or communication tools when the grid fails. It also supports those who rely on medical equipment, such as oxygen machines or powered beds.
Why KingAire’s Backup Solutions Are Worth the Investment
After learning how quickly food can spoil without electricity and how stressful it can be to manage a fridge full of perishables during an outage, it’s clear that preparation only goes so far. Ice packs and coolers can buy you a little time, but they’re not a long-term solution.
If you want real peace of mind and lasting protection, a backup generator is the most reliable way to keep your food (and home) safe during a power outage.
Here’s what sets KingAire apart:
Automatic reliability: Our generators kick in within seconds of a power loss. You don’t have to be home or even lift a finger. Your fridge, freezer, and essential appliances stay running.
Custom solutions: Not every home has the same power needs. We help you choose the right size and setup for your space, ensuring you’re protected without overpaying.
Experienced installation: We handle everything from permitting to professional installation. No guesswork. No hassle. Just dependable power when you need it most.
Local service and support: We’re based right here in Florida, so we understand the storm season and the challenges that come with it. When you work with us, you're partnering with a team that truly gets it.
Let KingAire Be Your Guide
Choosing the right generator for your power needs requires some upfront research and careful consideration of your needs. By considering essential factors like your power usage, costs, noise levels, and available space, you can choose the perfect generator for your specific needs.
Additionally, it's always a good idea to consult with qualified professionals like KingAire. Our experts are happy to walk you through different types and sizes of generators to help you find the perfect one for your home or business. For more information, please contact us or call us today at (850) 466-8984.