Summary
Whether it’s a lightning strike knocking out power to a single neighborhood for hours, a natural disaster destroying a region’s power lines for weeks, or failing infrastructure that leads to a months-long power grid failure, power outages threaten the security of any organization’s operations and employees. This report describes how short- and long-term power outages can impact U.S. private-sector organizations’ operations and employees, and what organizations and individuals can do to stay safe without electricity.
Power Outages – It’s More than Just the Lights
Power outages can not only shut down electricity, but also degrade water systems, food access, heating and cooling, fuel, cash and payment, telecommunications, security equipment, traffic lights, and emergency services. In countries with higher rates of violent crime, rioting, and looting, the lack of electricity and its follow-on effects can increase unrest and associated risks. Law enforcement and security services may struggle to organize and maintain order in the absence of regular means of dispatch and coordination. Disruptions to these services can threaten the security and well-being of private sector operations and employees. Nonetheless, organizations can take measures to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of power outages.
Electricity
Keep flashlights and extra batteries at organization sites and in employee households in easily accessible places (break rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, bedside tables, etc.). Maintain battery backups for your phone or other electronics, and uninterruptable power supply (UPS) battery backups for any electricity-dependent medical devices. Keep actual flashlights and do not rely on cell phone flashlights; using cell phones as flashlights will shorten cell phone battery life during an emergency. If you have battery-operated camping lanterns, be sure to have back up batteries. Keep radios and cell phones fully charged as much as possible. Avoid using candles, and never leave lit candles unattended. Solar-powered battery chargers and devices can extend the life of electronics, and solar panels with batteries can cushion businesses and homes from grid failures.
After losing power, unplug appliances and electronics and turn off heating or air conditioning systems to avoid power surges once power is restored. Consider surge-protecting power strips for sensitive electronics.
Water
Plan to use one gallon (or 4 liters) of water per person per day for drinking and personal hygiene. For details on specific water needs, storage, and treatment, see Ready.gov/water. Keep emergency water storage containers filled in advance of any possible water cutoff. For residences, consider keeping larger (100 liter) containers in a garage or other storage space and smaller (25 liter) containers in bathrooms and kitchens. Local water purification systems may fail during power outages. Consider using a battery-operated water purification system that will clean water during power outages. Otherwise, boil or treat water before use if you are unsure if household water has been contaminated during an outage.
Food
Stock canned foods, dry mixes, and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking, or special preparation. Be sure to have a manual can opener and eating utensils. Be prepared to possibly use outdoor grills to cook using propane. Store at least a two-week supply of non-perishable food for the entire household, taking into account any special dietary needs or local preferences. Don’t forget pet food and supplies for any pets, as well as infant formula and supplies for infants. For details on food safety and sanitation, as well as cooking, see Ready.gov/food. Remember that if you lose power and do not have backup power:
- Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
- A typical refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours if it is unopened.
- Refrigerated or frozen foods should be kept at 40⁰ F/ 4.5⁰ C or below for proper food storage.
- Use a refrigerator thermometer to check the temperature.
- Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than four hours.
- Discard any perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, or leftovers that have been above 40⁰ F/ 4.5⁰ C for two hours or more.
Heating and Cooling
In dangerously hot or cold weather, consider sheltering at community spaces or emergency shelters that have power and other resources. Check on vulnerable neighbors who may need help.
In warm weather, wear loose-fitting clothes made of organic fibers like cotton and linen. Stay out of the sun and avoid physical exertion during daylight hours. Close and insulate doors and windows to keep in as much cold air as possible. Temporarily and safely open windows at night to let cooler air in the building. During the day, close curtains to prevent sunlight from warming up the building. Avoid upper stories of the building, as hot air rises. Do not open the refrigerator or freezer for temporary cool air relief; keep those doors closed to preserve perishable food as long as possible. Cook outside using a grill if possible. Cooking with gas-powered indoor appliances will heat up the building. Stay hydrated and take cool showers or baths – the same goes for pets.
In cold weather, designate one small room in which family members and pets spend most of their time to share body heat. Cover doors and windows with blankets or other insulating material to keep heat in and cold air out and do not open doors or windows unnecessarily. Wear several layers of warm clothing. Never use generators, gas stoves, outdoor stoves, or the oven to heat the inside of your home or a building, due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Ensure fireplaces are regularly inspected for safety. Generators and fuel should always be outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and attached garages. Consider installing carbon monoxide alarms.
Vehicle Fuel
In a power failure, fuel pumps may not work, fuel supplies may be disrupted, or fuel demand may spike, leading to long lines at fuel stations. Ideally, always keep vehicle fuel tanks full to mitigate these risks during a power outage. Do not let tanks drop below halfway and keep a jerry can of fuel to top off. Ensure that tires – including the spare tire – are kept inflated.
Money
Power failures may disrupt cash machine and bank operations. Carry sufficient cash in local and U.S. currency for both stay-in-place emergencies and a departure, if needed. Your household’s circumstances, number of household members, and any special requirements determine the amount of cash your organization or household should maintain. If cash machines and banks remain operable, exercise caution when withdrawing cash. Significant power outages may be accompanied by spikes in crime.
Telecommunications
Cell phone towers and home internet may fail during sustained power outages or a power grid failure. Plan backup methods of communication to keep in touch with employees and family members, such as emergency radios and satellite phones. Practice using backup communication methods to ensure employees and their family members know how to use them in an emergency, and regularly check battery health. Consider arranging emergency meetup locations for employees and family members in case backup communication methods fail. Maintain an emergency contact list with satellite phones, or plan for regular in-person coordination if safe to do so.
Residential Security
Security equipment that requires electricity to operate, such as electric fences, alarms, and electric gates will typically only operate if redundant power is functioning, such as a generator. Non-electric security countermeasures like gates, grills, doors, locks, and safe havens will continue to provide protection during power outages. Invest in both electric and non-electric security measures to keep your operations, employees, and family members safe from crime during power outages.
Traffic Lights
Power outages heighten risks for drivers by increasing risks of dangerous driving and roadside crime. Traffic lights often do not work during power outages. Be vigilant for other drivers who may aggressively ignore traffic regulations. At night, drivers may not know that a darkened intersection is a location of a non-functioning light. When driving during a power outage, pay particular attention to your surroundings at on-ramps and off-ramps, four-way stops, and traffic lights for criminal attacks including smash-and-grabs or car theft. Typically, criminals seek out locations where vehicles stop or slow. Maintain a vehicle’s length distance when you must slow or stop and identify potential escape paths wherever your slow or stop.
Emergency Services
Power outages may impact the availability of police, fire, ambulance, and hospital services. Emergency telecommunications systems may fail, impeding your ability to contact emergency services. Power outages may also impact emergency service stations, preventing them from responding to calls. Prepare for the possibility of limited or no emergency services during and after power outages. Pharmacies may not be open if the power is out, so maintain refills of any medications you or your family require.
Stay- and Go-Bags
Everyone should have a personal disaster supply kit that covers your personal needs and the needs of your family or household members. This includes go-bags (if you had to depart the country quickly – think 2-3 days) and stay-bags (if you had to shelter-in-place for a prolonged period – think 2-3 weeks).
After a Power Outage
During or after a power outage, throw away perishable food items or refrigerated medications that may not have remained properly cold during the outage. Restock batteries, fuel, food, water, and medication supplies used during the outage. Alert authorities of downed or damaged power lines and stay away from downed power lines and anything touching them. In the event of flooding, do not go into flooded areas and do not use electronics or electrical equipment that may have been submerged, due to risk of electric shock.
Consider what preparations and communications methods worked well for your organization and employees and adjust power outage preparations accordingly.
Additional Resources
The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of State or any affiliated organization(s). Nor have these opinions been approved or sanctioned by these organizations. This product is unclassified based on the definitions in E.O. 13526. OSAC’s full disclaimer and copyright policy is available on our site at OSAC.gov/About/Disclaimer.
