{"id":724,"date":"2023-08-30T21:45:25","date_gmt":"2023-08-31T02:45:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.njenergyratings.com\/blog\/?p=724"},"modified":"2023-08-31T11:28:59","modified_gmt":"2023-08-31T16:28:59","slug":"do-these-five-things-when-your-nj-power-goes-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.njenergyratings.com\/blog\/do-these-five-things-when-your-nj-power-goes-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Do These Five Things When Your NJ Power Goes Out"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Don\u2019t Be In The Dark About Storm Power Outages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Power
Power outages in New Jersey not only interrupt your life but they can also be dangerous. Learn why you should do these five things to prepare and keep your family safe.<\/em><\/center><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s been 20 years since one of the biggest electric blackouts<\/a> on the North East coast. While new safeguards should prevent it from happening to the grid again, New Jersey weather doesn’t always cooperate. Plus, earlier this summer, officials warned about potential rolling blackouts<\/a> across the US. So many things can interrupt your power, from excessive heat, to lightning hitting a transformer down your block. So, be sure to do these five things when your NJ power<\/a> goes out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Open Your Fridge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Keep your fridge and freezer closed. Open these as little as possible throughout the time that the power is out. These appliances are great at keeping cold air in. And that’s exactly what you want to keep in when they\u2019re not running. When the electricity comes back, be sure to make sure that your food is safe to eat<\/a>. According to the FDA<\/strong>, you have four hours with refrigerated items. But fully packed freezers can last up to 48 hours before items warm up to become unsafe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cover Your Exits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret that when the weather is disgustingly hot, you\u2019re stuck to your air conditioner. If power goes out during the day, close blinds and cover windows to shut out ambient heat from your house. At night time, open up the windows to produce cross-breezes to keep temperatures down. This is also a great way to reduce your electricity bills<\/a> during the summer months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protect Your Devices From Power Surges<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the power goes out or even when it comes back on, there can be a power surge. During storms, unplug valuable devices to prevent damage. For more convenience, you can plug them into surge protected outlets or power strips. This small step can prevent thousands of dollars of damage to sensitive electronics. And insurance doesn\u2019t always cover you for lightning damage or surge damage. So, if you take these preventative measures, you’ll be better protected before something goes wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protect Your Family’s Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are some big things you should never do during a power outage to protect your own health and safety:<\/p>\n\n\n\n