Blackouts

If you have an electric garage door opener, locate the manual release lever and learn how to operate it.
Keep your cars gas tank at least half full because gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.
Have an extra battery on hand for battery-operated wheelchairs.

Only use a flashlight for emergency lighting--never use candles because they increase your risk of a house fire dramatically.
Most cordless phones won't work if the power goes out, so be sure to have a standard telephone in your home. Cellular phones may not operate properly during a blackout because cellular networks may lose power to the towers that transmit your call.
Turn off electrical equipment you were using when the power went out. Leave one light on so youll know when power returns.
Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer. Most medication that requires refrigeration can be kept in a closed refrigerator for several hours.
Don't run a generator inside a home or garage or connect it to a homes electrical system. If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to outlets on the generator.
Listen to a radio for the latest information.