High winds last weekend caused more than 50,000 households in New Hampshire to lose power. Without electricity, families have looked for alternative sources for heating, lighting and cooking. The American Red Cross chapters in New Hampshire urge all residents to follow safety precautions during these power outages.
“Alternative or supplemental sources for heating, lighting or cooking need to be used carefully to prevent home fires,” said Maria White, regional executive director for the American Red Cross. “The Red Cross chapters are available to provide assistance and information to New Hampshire families during these power outages and other disasters.”
The following are important safety tips from the Red Cross.
Stay safe during an outage:
– Use a flashlight for emergency lighting. Never use candles!
– Turn off or disconnect all motor-driven appliances and fixtures to avoid damage from sudden surges when power is restored.
– Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.
– Listen to a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio for updated information.
– Do not use outdoor cooking methods, like grills or camping stoves, inside the house or garage.
Alternative heating sources:
– Be especially careful to avoid home fires if you use alternative or supplemental heating sources.
– Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
– If you use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor) and not on rugs and carpets, or near bedding and drapes.
– It’s best to plug a space heater directly into a wall socket; if you must use an extension cord, be sure it is rated to carry the electrical load of the heater.
– Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
– Keep all paper, clothing, bedding, carpets and rugs at least three feet away from all heat sources.
– Portable space heaters and fireplaces should never be left unattended.
– Always turn off a space heater and make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home.
– Use a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace, large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
– Review your home fire escape plan with at least two escape routes for every room in the home, and a convenient meeting place at a safe distance from your home for family members to gather.
Use generators safely:
– Read manufacturer’s information before using a generator.
– If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator, or use a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cord. Do not connect a generator to a home’s electrical system.
– Do not run a generator inside any enclosed area even with ventilation, including a home, garage, carport, basement or crawlspace.
– Be sure to place the generator away from open windows, doors or vents leading into your home.
– Be sure to have working battery-operated carbon dioxide alarms in your home.
– Keep the generator dry. Be sure to turn the generator off and allow it to cool before refueling.
For more information, visit concord-redcross.org or call 225-6697.
