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What to Do If the Power Goes Out in New York City (and What Not to Do Too)

Although we get power outages in New York City in the summer, winter storms are another time for concern about blackouts. With colder weather approaching, here are some tips for what to do if the power goes out. Many of these suggestions apply to summer blackouts, too, so you’ll know what to do year-round if your electricity fails.

What to Do If the Power Goes Out

Assess the cause of the blackout

First, you need to determine whether the power is out only in your building (or part of it), in your immediate neighborhood, or throughout the city. Fortunately, in New York, it’s usually easy to simply look outside to see how far any blackout extends.

You may need to call Con Edison if the outage is only in your property, after first checking your electrical panel to see if circuit breakers are tripped and looking for any downed power lines around your building. If the blackout is more widespread, or if you already have smart meters installed, Con Ed probably already knows.

For power outage updates, Con Edison’s social media pages are a good resource. You can report outages via the Con Ed website or call their 24-hour hotline: 1-800-75-CONED (752-6633).

Call 911 for any emergencies

If anyone becomes hurt when the lights go out, you need to call 911 right away for first responders. Likewise, request help from the city if anyone is trapped in an elevator or is experiencing any other kind of emergency.

Assure backup generators kick in

You may have installed backup generators for exactly this type of scenario. Now is the time to make sure they’re working as planned.

Check emergency lighting and signage

You should be performing regular tests on your emergency exit signs and lighting in public spaces. If your backup power works, the lighting should come on at the start of a blackout. If your emergency egress system fails to operate, you need to fix it immediately when power is restored.

Implement any boiler protocols for a power outage

Based on your boiler system, you may need to power down some elements or adjust settings. Make sure the gas is turned off since electric ignition and other electrical components, like the automatic water feeder and hot water circulator pumps, probably won’t function. You might also need to be ready to get the boiler going again when the electricity comes back on, especially if it’s an older model.

Unplug electrically powered items

It’s usually smart to unplug items powered by electricity, where you are able, especially personal electronics and entertainment systems. It may be impossible to unplug refrigerators and ovens, so just remove the power source where you can. This is so that your power supply – and the New York City grid in general – isn’t overloaded when everything starts back up again after the blackout. Leave one lamp on so you know when the power has returned.

Keep the refrigerator door closed

Whether the blackout happens in summer or winter, keep the fridge and freezer closed, opening them only to get food. The insulation in modern refrigerators is quite good, and food will generally stay fresh for a day or two without power, particularly if the fridge is full, giving it an extra cold sink.

Check on vulnerable building occupants

During a power outage, it’s important to make sure any seniors, disabled people, and families with infants are okay. Anyone who needs medical equipment powered by electricity should also be checked on.

Fill a tub or basin with water

In most New York City buildings, pumps powered by electricity often assist in the delivery of water to residents. When the power goes out, it may be too late to draw any water from the taps. It’s worth a try, though, to turn the taps on and collect any water remaining in the pipes. Even better, have a supply of emergency water on hand in case of power outages for drinking and washing up.

Watch for frozen pipes

If the power remains out for a few days, a rare but possible occurrence, keep an eye out for frozen pipes, which may burst and cause plumbing and property damage. There may not be much you can do without heat or electrical power. Your best bet is to try shutting off the main water valve and then draining all your taps so there is no water remaining in the pipes to freeze. (Be sure to save all that water you run, and don’t let it go down the drain!)

Use personal devices sparingly

Most power outages only last for a few hours or an evening. However, if the blackout is predicted to go on for multiple days, you want to conserve the battery charge in your mobile phone or tablet. Alternatively, you may be able to use a portable power bank to keep these devices running throughout the power emergency so you can access updates and urgent communication. Be aware that if the outage is really large, many cell towers will not be working or will prioritize only first responder communications.

What NOT to Do If the Power Goes Out

Don’t leave unless you have to

Building occupants should stay in their units unless they need to leave due to fire, flooding, or another dangerous event. In the wintertime, people should bundle up and use passive heating techniques, like covering windows to keep the cold out. In summer, depending on the temperatures outside, they can open windows at night to get some fresh air. Roads may not be safe due to ice, snow, and non-functioning traffic signals. Keep the streets open for emergency crews by remaining at home unless you work as a first responder, doctor, or another type of essential personnel.

Don’t use outdoor cooking or heating methods

Never, ever use barbecue grills, camp stoves, or other outdoor cooking methods inside to cook or heat. Likewise, don’t use a gas stove to heat the interior of any space. This can result in carbon monoxide poisoning or death, as well as the risk of fire.

Don’t use candles for light

Speaking of fire, candles are not a very safe way to illuminate the indoors during a power outage. If you  use them, never leave them unattended. A better solution is to have battery- or hand-crank-powered flashlights or lanterns at the ready. Cell phone flashlight apps will quickly drain the battery if used for more than a couple of minutes.

Don’t go near downed power lines or pooled water

Stay away from power lines on the ground; it’s Con Edison’s job to take care of these once you have reported them. Similarly, pooled water poses the risk of electrical shock, especially if you’re standing in it when the power comes back on.

Don’t turn everything back on at once when power is restored

When your power returns, gradually reintroduce electrical devices and appliances. You don’t want to place too great of a strain on the power supply, as many items need extra juice when they first start up.

Are you ready for a blackout in your building? Bolt Electric is happy to assist with emergency generator installation, emergency lighting and signage, and other needs, whether they’re related to blackouts or not. Call us at 212-434-0098 to schedule an appointment at your convenience.