Power outages can occur at any time and, while they are often weather-related, they are always inconvenient. In Pennsylvania, we can experience power outages in the summer during a thunderstorm or hurricane, and then in the winter after a bad snow or ice storm. At UGI EnergyLink, we value the safety of our customers and their families and we want you to be prepared—no matter when the power goes out. That’s why we’ve created this guide to better educate you on power outage preparedness.
If you have a power outage in your PA home or business, contact UGI EnergyLink for assistance now!
Be Prepared for a Power Outage
You might have heard the saying that goes, “Fortune favors the prepared mind.” We think this is certainly the case when it comes to being well-equipped during an unexpected power outage, especially when you don’t know if it will last several minutes, several hours, or even several days. One way to ready yourself is with an emergency kit stocked with:
- LED flashlights
- Batteries
- Water bottles
- Non-perishable foods
- Blankets
- Clothing
- First Aid kit
- Emergency phone numbers
- Alternative chargers for your electronic devices
Being prepared for a Pennsylvania power outage also means keeping your phone well charged at all times, ensuring that you have no less than half a tank of gas in your car, and knowing where and how to quickly and safely exit your home or business. Keeping some bags or containers of clean water in the freezer is also a way to keep items colder if the power does go out.
What to Do During a Power Outage
Once the power is officially out, the most important thing you can do is to stay calm. You need to be able to think clearly so you can access and distribute any emergency kits or plans that you’ve prepared for such a time as this. You should also turn off or unplug any appliances, as you’ll want to manually turn them back on when the power is restored. Some other tips for a power outage include:
- Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer doors as much as possible
- Cook food on the grill outside
- Only use a generator outside and away from you’re your home and garage
If you run out of bottled water, you can use the water you froze in advance as drinking water when it thaws out. Again, staying calm and keeping in touch with family members or neighbors is imperative during a power outage.
Natural Gas Supplier in PA
One way to ensure the electricity does not affect all of your household items, even during a power outage, is by choosing natural gas. A flammable fossil fuel in a gaseous form, natural gas can be used for home heating and can also supply power for stoves, ovens, water heaters, generators, and other in-home appliances. In many cases, gas appliances run independently from electrical power, so you can continue using these items during a power outage. Pennsylvania is a deregulated energy market, which means you can choose your own electricity supplier, like UGI EnergyLink!
Contact UGI EnergyLink today to learn more about our natural gas services in Pennsylvania and nearby states!