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What to do in Case of Power Outages

Keeping your power on is our number one priority. Despite our best efforts, power outages do occur for a variety of reasons including strong seasonal storms, trees, squirrels, downed power lines, equipment failure and accidents.

If your power is off:

  • Check your home's breaker panel (and any outdoor disconnects) to make sure the outage is not due to a tripped breaker.

  • Call your neighbors to see if their power is off. This will help you determine if the problem exists within your home, or on our lines.

  • If you determine the problem is outside your home, call Lake Country Power, 800-421-9959. Do not assume that others have reported the outage.

  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food should keep for up to 48 hours in a freezer, if the door remains closed. If the outage persists, cover your refrigerator or freezer with a blanket, make arrangements to store food at another location, or purchase dry ice.

  • Turn off all electrical appliances that were on when the power went off, especially heat pumps, air conditioners or electric heat. But leave a light on so you will know when power is restored.

  • Please be prepared for extended outages.

Be prepared for extended outages:

  • Make sure one of the phones in your home is not a cordless phone as these require electricity to charge, but also have a mobile phone for backup and charge it in your vehicle, if necessary 

  • Use a battery powered flashlight, not candles.

  • Keep a battery operated radio handy to listen for outage information and updates

  • Turn off electrical equipment you were using before the power went out

  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food should keep for up to 48 hours in a freezer, if the door remains closed. If the outage persists, cover your refrigerator or freezer with a blanket, make arrangements to store food at another location, or purchase dry ice.

  • Essential supplies: flashlight, batteries, radio, extra supply of water, food.

  • Turn off and unplug your computer if you were using it. Buy a surge protector to protect the machine when power comes back on.

  • Unplug as many major appliances as possible. This will prevent overloading the power line circuits when power is restored.

  • Keep a small lamp plugged in and turned on so you'll know when power is restored. It is possible that the light bulbs may suffer damage, but bulbs are cheaper to replace than other electrical appliances.

When The Power Goes Out

Safety First: Stay away from downed power lines!

If you come across power lines that are down for any reason, stay away. Do not touch or try to move downed lines with your hands or any other object. Downed power lines can carry an electric current strong enough to cause serious injury or even death.

Here are some tips to keep in mind with downed power lines: 

  • Consider all wires energized and dangerous. Even lines that are de-energized could become energized at any time.

  • Do not attempt to remove trees or debris of any kind from power lines. Electricity needs a conductor (any material that allows an electric current to pass through it) and can therefore travel through tree limbs, guardrails, vehicles, your body, etc.

  • If a broken power line falls on your vehicle, stay inside the vehicle. Use your cell phone to call for help. The vehicle can become energized so you are safer staying inside until someone, like a lineworker, can professionally help.

  • If you must get out of the vehicle due to fire or other life-threatening hazards, jump clear of the vehicle so you do not touch any part of it and the ground at the same time. Jump as far as possible away from the vehicle with both feet landing on the ground at the same time. Once you clear the vehicle, shuffle away with both feet touching the ground at the same time.

  • If someone makes contact with a downed power line, don’t try to rescue them because you risk becoming a victim yourself. Call 911 for help. 

  • If you see a downed power line, call us immediately at 800-421-9959 so one of our line crews can safely repair the line

How to prepare an emergency kit.

How to keep your food safe during power outages

How to open your electric garage door

How power is restored

Winter Tips

  • Stay inside – dress in warm, layered clothing, and cover up with extra blankets.

  • Close off unneeded rooms.

  • When using an alternative heat source, follow operating instructions, use fire safeguards and be sure to properly ventilate (keep a multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it).

  • Stuff towels or rags underneath doors to keep in the heat.

  • Cover windows at night.

  • Maintain a regular diet. Food provides the body with energy for creating its own energy.

  • Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

  • Infants or persons over 65 are more susceptible to the cold, check on elderly or disabled friends or neighbors.  You may want to find an alternative location with friends or relatives if you cannot keep your home warm.

  • Be cautious when using alternative heating, lighting and cooking sources that may increase the risk of a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.