Senior Safety During Power Outages

1
Senior Safety During Power Outages
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Smoke Detectors

• Change the batteries in your smoke detectors.
• If you have hard-wired smoke detectors, check for
  battery-backup.

3
Heaters

• Propane heaters are for outdoor use only.
• Kerosene heaters are prohibited in California.
• Charcoal should never be used indoors.

4
Fireplaces and Wood Stoves

• Have your chimney or stovepipe cleaned and
  inspected by a professional.
• Never use flammable liquids or excessive amounts
  of paper to start or accelerate a fire.

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More About Fireplaces Wood Stoves

• Never leave fire unattended.
• Keep flammables and combustibles at least three
  feet away from heat sources.
• Keep a metal or glass screen in front of
  fireplace opening.

• Make sure damper is open before lighting a fire.
• Use a metal container with tight fitting lid for
  ash removal and place container outdoors for at
  least a week.

6
Fireplace Inserts

• Do you have a fireplace insert that has an
  electrically powered blower/fan to cool the
  thermostat?
• During power outages, the fan wont work. Open
  the doors to vent the heat.

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Keeping Cool

• Only ventilate your home by opening doors and
  windows during the coolest part of the day or
  night.
• Keep hydrated by drinking 6-8 glasses of water to
  prevent heat stroke, heat exhaustion and
  dehydration.

8
Drapes and Curtains Can Help

• Seal off your house with draperies and curtains
  made of tightly woven light colored fabrics that
  fit snugly against the wall around the window.
• You could double layer them for added protection
  against heat.

9
Telephone

• Cordless telephones without battery-backup may
  not have service due to the electrically powered
  signal from the receiver to the base having no
  power.
• Keep a telephone at your bedside.

10
Cooking

• Never use propane BBQ or camp stoves indoors.
• Keep a supply of foods that dont require
  cooking.
• Keep a manual can opener on hand.

11
Lighting

• Keep several flashlights on hand in different
  rooms in the house. Make sure one is at your
  bedside.
• Buy extra batteries!
• Purchase and install security lights used as
  backup lighting.

12
Medical Equipment

• If you use medical equipment that requires
  electricity, have a back-up plan.
• Is your wheelchair electric? Have an extra
  battery or manually operated chair on hand.

13
Do you use oxygen?

• Have portable oxygen tanks on hand that do not
  require electricity.
• Make sure to have enough oxygen to last at least
  24 hours.
• If you utilize a concentrator, make sure it has a
  backup cylinder system.

14
Generators

• You might consider purchasing a generator to help
  with required medical equipment.
• Place it outside!
• Do not connect it directly to your household
  electrical system unless done by a licensed
  electrician.

15
Transportation

• Keep a full tank of gas.
• Gas pumps dont work during power outages.

16
Cash

• Keep some cash on hand for emergencies.
• ATM and credit card machines dont work during
  power outages.

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Blankets

• Keep extra blankets in an accessible location.
• Remember not to layer blankets over an electric
  blanket that is in the ON position. When the
  electricity comes back on, the blanket may
  overheat.

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Eyeglasses

• Keep your eyeglasses and hearing aids near your
  bedside so you can easily find them in the dark.

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Clear Pathways

• Keep pathways free from clutter and cords.
• Remove throw rugs so you wont trip and fall if
  it is dark.

20
Fire Extinguishers

• Keep a fire extinguisher in an accessible
  location, preferably near an exit.

21
Smoking

• Dont smoke in bed
• Dont put ashtrays on chair or sofa arms.

22
Have a Backup Plan

• If the power outage is going to last for an
  extended period of time, have a plan for an
  alternate place to say.

23
Thank You

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