The utility expects power to be off no longer than an hour or two. But consumers should be prepared for longer blackouts just in case. Where possible, turn off the switches on computers, televisions and lights that you had been using when the power went off. This will not only help safeguard your electrical equipment from power surges when the lights come back but also help the power company get its systems back online with fewer glitches. When everyone leaves switches on, it creates a huge demand for power as the grid is coming up, which makes it more difficult for utilities to bring consumers back on line, Conroy says.
Charcoal briquettes produce carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless killer.
A fully stocked freezer will stay at freezing temperature for up to two days without power. If it's half-full, it will stay cold for about half as long. But if you open the doors, the temperature will rise much faster. Quell the urge to snap them on the moment you get home, Edison's Conroy urges. Peak electricity usage is from 5 to 7 p.m., so if you wait to turn on the holiday lights until 8, you'll help drastically reduce the strain on the power grid.