⚡ When the Lights Go Out

South Orange Power Outage Safety Tips

Power outages can happen with little warning — especially during storms or utility service disruptions. The South Orange Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and PSE&G encourage residents to follow these safety guidelines during an outage to stay safe, protect appliances, and preserve essential resources.

🏡 First Steps

• If your home is the only one without power, check your fuse box or circuit breaker panel.
• Before replacing fuses or resetting breakers, turn off large appliances to prevent power surges.
• If the power outage is affecting the entire neighborhood, unplug all electrical heaters and major appliances to reduce the surge when power returns and prevent damage.

🔌 Protect Your Devices

• Unplug computers and sensitive electronics to avoid damage from voltage spikes when power is restored.
• Turn off or unplug heat-producing appliances (like irons, toasters, and ovens) before leaving your home.
• Use surge protectors for added safety.

💧 Conserve Resources

• If you rely on a well for water, conserve usage to preserve pressure.
• Limit water use in general, as treatment and pumping stations may be affected by the outage.

❄️ Preserve Food and Heat

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible:
  • A full freezer can keep food frozen for up to 48 hours
  • A refrigerator can keep food cold for 4 hours if unopened
• Close all windows, doors, and drapes to retain heat inside your home.
• Dress in layers to stay warm.

🕯️ Be Fire-Safe

• Avoid open flames when possible.
• If using candles, place them in stable, fireproof holders and never leave them unattended.
• Battery-powered flashlights or lanterns are safer alternatives.

⚠️ Report Outages and Stay Informed

• Report power outages directly to PSE&G:
  • 📞 1-800-436-PSEG (7734)
  • 🌐 www.pseg.com
  • 📱 Text “OUT” to 4PSEG (47734) (if registered)
• Sign up for South Orange Alerts to receive emergency updates, shelter information, and recovery resources.