What to do When the Power Is Out

Every year, Rochester, New York sees some of the craziest wind. In some places, it has been known to reach speeds over 80 MPH which is considered hurricane force wind. One storm in 2017 had hurricane force winds that left many in the dark for a little over a day. Others had no electricity for more than a week. RG&E stated that on Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 2:30 PM there were an estimated of 31,000 customers in Monroe County without power and that number grow over the course of the day. Many businesses even closed early, and school events were canceled and rescheduled. The next day, Thursday, many schools closed. As of Sunday, March 12, 2017 there are 9,314 customers without power.

During weather-related power outages like Rochester, New York faced, there are many residential and commercial security factors that should be kept in mind.

Power Outage Safety Tips

• Keep in mind that if you lose power that you should contact a neighbor to see if they have also lost power. Sometimes it might just be a blown transformer or fuse from the power lines.

• If your neighbor tells you that they don’t have power, then go head and contact your local electrical company to report an outage. They will be able to look into the outage and send an employee out to assess the situation.

• If possible, check the local weather on the internet or a battery powered radio.

• To prevent overloading outlets, unplug any unnecessary appliances such as microwaves, coffee makers, and refrigerators and electronic devices such as computers, TVs, etc.

• Once you have unplugged the refrigerator and freezer, keep the doors closed as much as possible. If it is cold outside, think about getting a cooler or two and filling them with ice for the items that you might have to take out of the fridge. Food will last no more than 24 hours if you minimize the door being opened.

• If the outage is due to windy weather, don’t use outside grills or go outside for any reason because it could become dangerous with falling trees, falling power lines, and airborne debris.

In the event that you ever experience an outage contact your local electrical company (RG&E 1-800-743-1701 or NYSEG 1-800-572-1131).

Contact Your Rochester Alarm Company Today!

Alarm systems have backup battery power that can last up to a specific amount of time. Know your battery life. If you want to keep your home secure during a power outage, contact SPS Fire & Security today to learn about how an alarm system can still protect your home even while the power is out. Remember that most power outages last less than half a day, but power outages can also be a time when burglars become more active around places they know won’t be occupied. Call today at 585-770-0348.