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| Preparing for an outage |
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Start by developing shelter plans for severe storm and tornado conditions. Assemble a "storm kit" and keep it centrally located. It should contain:
- Emergency telephone numbers
- Flashlights and fresh batteries
- Battery-powered radio
- Battery-powered or wind-up alarm clock
- Supply of bottled water (one gallon per person per day)
- Nonperishable foods that don't require heating
- Blankets, bedding or sleeping bags
- First-aid kit and medications
- Non-electric can opener
- Tool kit, including wrench to turn off gas or water lines
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Include items for infants, the elderly or family members with special needs. Infants and elderly people cannot adjust to cold or extreme heat as well as others and may need to be taken to a relative's or friend's home, a shelter or a hotel.
You may want to consider meter-based or point of use surge protection devices to safeguard your home appliances and electronics in the event of a lightning strike or power surge.
Remember that cordless phones and automatic garage door openers require electric energy to work. Keep a corded phone as a backup. Learn how to open your garage door manually.
If you depend on electrically powered medical equipment, ask your physician about emergency battery back-up systems. If you are homebound and use life-support equipment not supported by back-up power, you may qualify for Westar Energy's life support service.
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