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REALTOR®: Realtors Offer Homeowners Safety Information for Short-term Power Outages

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

The Silicon Valley Association of Realtors shares the following safety guidelines from the American Red Cross and Homeland Security Web sites for homeowners, should there be more power outages due to bad weather.

Prepare for Power Outages
* Have battery-operated flashlights and radios with fresh batteries ready. Listen for updates on storm conditions and power outages.

* If you have a telephone system that requires electricity to work, have a standard telephone handset, cellular telephone or pager ready as a back up.

* Fill plastic containers with water and freeze to make blocks of ice that can be placed in your refrigerator/freezer during an outage to prevent foods from spoiling.

* If you use a computer, keep files and operating systems backed up regularly. Consider buying extra batteries and a power converter if you use a laptop computer. Get a high quality surge protector for all of your computer equipment.

* If you have an electric garage door opener, find out where the manual release lever is located and learn how to operate it. If you regularly use the garage as the primary means of entering your home, keep a key to your house with you, in case the garage door will not open.

* Keep your car fuel tank at least half full because gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.

During a Power Outage
* Unplug or turn off all electric appliances. Leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns. Turn your appliances back on one at a time to avoid overloading circuits when power is restored.

* Use a flashlight for emergency lighting. If you must use candles, keep them away from drapes, lampshades and children. Do not leave candles unattended.

* If you have a standby generator, make sure that it's installed safely and inform your power company to avoid risking damage to your property. Do not connect a generator to your home's electrical system or run a generator inside your home, basement or garage.

* Leave the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep your food as fresh as possible. If you must eat food that was refrigerated or frozen, check it carefully for signs of spoilage.

* Use the phone only when necessary. Only call 9-1-1 to report a life-threatening emergency.

* Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic signals will stop working during an outage, creating traffic congestion.

* Remember that equipment such as automated teller machines (ATMs) and elevators may not work during a power outage.

* If it is cold outside, put on layers of warm clothing. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors. Never use your oven as a source of heat. If the power may be out for a prolonged period, plan to go to another location (relative, friend, or public facility) that has heat to keep warm.

If you would like more information about power outages and how to deal with them, contact the power company that serves your area, or go to http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_92_,00.html or http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html


The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.

For further information, please contact Rose Meily at SILVAR Public Affairs, email , or phone (408) 200-0109.

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