Preparing for a Power Outage

Taking simple steps to prepare for situations at your home, business and community can go a long way if, and when, a disaster happens.

Assemble a "Storm Kit"

Keep your storm kit centrally located. Your kit should contain items that could help you get by if you are without electricity for several days. A list of items to get you started:

• Emergency phone numbers


• Flashlights and fresh batteries


• Battery-powered or wind-up alarm clock


• Supply of bottled water (one gallon per person per day)


• Nonperishable foods that don't require heating


• Non-electric can opener


• Blankets, bedding or sleeping bags


• First-aid kit and medications


• Tool kit, including wrench to turn off gas or water lines


• Medicine, personal hygiene and specific items for the young or elderly


• A change of clothes can come in handy and don't forget about pet items

Family Communications Plan

• Develop plans for an extended power outage due to storms, tornadoes or an ice storm.


• Know where your family will go in an emergency and prepare for different scenarios.


• Be familiar with locations such as workplaces and schools where family members spend most their time.


• Keep in mind your family may not be together when disaster strikes.


• Family member date of birth, social security number, medical information and contact information for out-of-town relatives and friends is important.

Special needs

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, shelter or a hotel.

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.

Keep in mind

Cordless phones and automatic garage door openers require electricity to work. Keep a corded phone as a backup. Learn how to open your garage door manually.

Power surges

Purchase equipment with built-in surge protection or battery-powered back-up, or use electrical surge suppressors or arresters. Plug computers and other sensitive equipment into a separate, grounded circuit to isolate them from fluctuations caused when a major appliance restarts (such as a room air conditioner or refrigerator). Consider having a lightning arrester installed at your main circuit panel.

Personal generators

If you plan to use a generator during an extended power outage, do so with caution. Generator safety tips.

Westar outage communication

Update your account information - By ensuring that your phone number and other information on your account is current, you make it easier for us to pinpoint your location in a power outage.

During a significant event, such as an ice storm or tornado, Westar will continually update our outage webpage, and social media channels. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.