Power Outages Possible From Storm, Tips From Vectren

Protect Your Appliances
Turn off lights and as many appliances and electronics as possible, including heating or air conditioning systems. You will help prevent circuit overload situations when your power is restored. You also will reduce the potential for damage to sensitive equipment such as computers, microwave ovens and televisions.

Prepare an Emergency/Outage Kit
To help you prepare in case you face a power outage, Vectren suggests you assemble an emergency kit. Consider including the items below:

• A flashlight with extra batteries (placed where you can find it in the dark)
• A battery-powered radio and fresh batteries
• Canned foods that require no cooking
• A manual can opener
• First aid supplies
• Extra fuses
• A battery-powered or wind-up clock

Keep Food Safe
Help protect your food during a power outage by keeping your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. Your refrigerator should keep food safely cold for about four to six hours if it is unopened. A full freezer should hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours if the door stays closed (about 24 hours if it is half full). Make sure you have items on hand that do not require refrigeration and can be eaten cold or heated on an outdoor grill.

To learn more about keeping food safe during a power outage, visit the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Web site.

Severe Weather and Outages
Severe weather can strike quickly, creating a variety of dangerous situations. Review the storm tips to find out what you should do after severe weather strikes.

During Severe Weather

• Have at least one traditional analog phone in your home that does not require electricity to operate. Cordless phones and phones with built-in answering machines will not operate during a power outage. 
• Have a portable radio, TV or weather radio on hand to monitor official weather forecasts and other important information for your area.
• If you experience a power outage, call Vectren at (800) 227-1376.
• If you anticipate an extended outage, consider moving yourself and your family, especially those with special needs, to an alternate location. Often, the American Red Cross will set up a shelter to assist those in need. Its disaster hotline is (812) 471-7200.
• Consider checking with others who may benefit from your assistance.
• Consider all downed power lines and anything touching them energized and dangerous. Do not get near them and report the problem to Vectren.
• Don't open freezers and refrigerators any more than absolutely necessary. Opening these appliances will allow food to thaw more quickly.