Outages that occur in severe weather or that last for an extended period of time can place a heavy burden on the system at the moment power is restored. To prevent an overload on the system and possibly another outage, take these steps:

• Turn off every inside light except one.
• Turn your air conditioner/heater off.
• Make sure your kitchen range is off, both the surface and the oven.
• Turn off all unnecessary appliances.
• Avoid opening the refrigerator door as much as possible.
• If the power is out for less than 4 hours, then the food in your refrigerator will be safe to consume. If the power is out for longer than 4 hours, pack milk and other dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, and spoilable leftovers into a cooler or ice chest surrounded by ice.
• Avoid opening the freezer door. A full, freestanding freezer will keep food at freezing temperatures about 2 days; a half-full freezer about 1 day. For more information about food safety during and after a power outage, call the USDA Food Safety Hotline at 1-800-535-4555.
• If you see a downed power line, STAY AWAY!! And call Northeast Louisiana Power at once!
• Leave your porch light on so NELPCO workers will know when your power has been restored.
• When power comes back on, slowly switch your appliances and lights back on and gradually return your thermostat to its normal setting.