What you can do to stay connected during a power outage

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

As summer heats up, Consumer Action and AT&T offer tips on what consumers can do to stay in communication during a power outage and urge California residents to learn how to conserve energy to help ease the strain on the power grid.

TIPS:

• Know if your phone set requires power from your house.
• Keep a non-cordless phone handy.
• Help prevent outages—learn how to conserve energy.

Learning about your telephone service and your options will help you stay connected to your family and essential services during a power outage or emergency.

Know about your voice service: It is important to know what type of voice service you have. Traditional landline, Voice over Internet Protocol and wireless service may function differently during a power outage. The type of voice service you have may require electrical power from your home and/or battery backup to operate during an outage.

• Traditional landline service: Will typically function in a power outage. If your phone equipment plugs into an electrical outlet, that equipment may not work during a power outage. Consider keeping a simple “corded” phone handy for use during a power outage. Test it in advance.
• Voice over IP (Internet) service: Requires electrical power at your home to operate. Know your battery backup system and consider keeping a simple “corded” phone handy for use during a power outage. Test it in advance.
• Wireless service: Length of use on a fully charged battery varies. Keep extra, charged batteries, recharge with your car (in a well-ventilated place) or use a solar- or hand-powered charger.

For more information about what you can do to stay in communication during a power outage, read our tip sheet.

Know about your power service:

Your electric utility provides information about planned, unplanned and rotating outages. Contact your electric utility for information. Many have online “outage centers” with additional resources. Contact information for your electric utility can be found on your energy bill or in your phone book.

More information about preparing for power outages is available online at the California Energy Commission’s Consumer Energy Center.

Help prevent outages—learn how to conserve energy:

AT&T and Consumer Action also urge consumers to help prevent power outages by learning more about conserving energy. To learn more about ways to reduce your energy usage, visit www.FlexAlert.org, an educational and emergency alert program that informs California consumers about how and when to conserve electricity. If you don't live in California, contact either your energy provider at the number on your billing statement or your state's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to find out if there is a similar energy "demand response program" for your region.