extra-warm clothing and avoid putting them to bed in a cold room, and check on elderly neighbors.
Keep water pipes flowing
To prevent water pipes from freezing or breaking in low temperatures, the CDC recommends turning all water faucets on just enough to allow a continuous drip, and keeping cabinet doors under sinks open to allow any warm air from the room to reach the pipes.
Turn off all lights except for one. Unplug appliances
The power will come back on eventually. And when it does, everything that was turned on when the power went out will suddenly come to life. That can be bad.
It can overload a circuit when power is restored causing what utility officials call cold load pickup. That can cause a second outage, according to Austin Energy.
Leave one light turned on so you know when power has been restored.
After an Outage
Check all circuit breakers
Be sure to check all of the electrical connections and circuit breakers to be sure everything is functioning properly. Be sure to look to ensure nothing is smoking and/or smells like smoke or burning.
Check on your neighbors
After you’ve got your family straight and situated, check on those around you to be sure they are okay as well. Your community can come together in times of trouble.
Thank all the workers
Those gas station and grocery store workers who braved the cold just to be at the job and help frantic and many times “rude” customers–please thank them (again). Let them know they are appreciated and valued because we truly are in this together.