What to Do During a Power Outage in Delano
Whether they’re caused by storms, high winds, or equipment failure, power outages can happen at any time, even with Delano’s reliable municipal grid. Outages can affect lighting, food storage, cooking, communication, and more. That’s why it’s best to be prepared.
Read our guide to learn what to do during a power outage in Delano.
First Priority: Alert DMU
In the event of a power outage in Delano, the first thing you should do is inform the team at Delano Municipal Utilities. To report a power outage, call our office at 763.972.0557. For after-hours emergencies, call 651.229.4054. You should keep these numbers near your phone or in your contacts for easy access.
When you call us, have this information ready:
- Your name
- Your location/address
- The time you noticed the power going out
Always contact us as soon as possible, even if you’re not sure what caused the power outage; our restoration process is the same no matter the cause. Don’t assume that a neighbor has already called us, and don’t wait to see if the lights come back on. The sooner we are aware of the outage, the sooner we can get to work fixing it.
Steps to Take Inside Your Home
After you alert DMU, these actions will help keep you, your family, and your property safe during the power outage.
- Unplug sensitive electronics and appliances to protect them from power surges when the electricity is restored. (If your devices are plugged into reliable surge protectors, this step is not necessary.)
- Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve food. A refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep its temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if only half-full). Throw out any food that reaches above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Use flashlights for light, not candles. Candles are easily knocked over when you’re navigating in the dark, posing a severe fire risk.
- If you need to use a generator, camp stove, or charcoal grill, only do so outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and garages. Using them indoors can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use an oven or stove to heat your home. Doing so is a fire risk, can damage your appliances, and also risks carbon monoxide poisoning.
- If you have water in your basement due to a storm, be alert to the risk of shock. Do not use electric appliances near water, even on a wet floor.
What to Do After a Power Outage
Once power has been restored, follow these steps to stay safe.
- If refrigerated or frozen food has been at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for two hours or more, throw it out.
- If you have refrigerated medicines, check the label or ask your doctor or pharmacist to determine whether it is still safe to use.
- Stay away from downed power lines; they may still be energized. Report downed power lines to DMU.
How to Prepare for a Power Outage
By being proactive and planning ahead, you can be ready for a power outage whenever one might happen.
- Use surge protectors for sensitive electronics.
- Keep battery-powered flashlights, radios, and alarm clocks in your home.
- Keep phone chargers and power banks to charge your cell phones.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to have a power outage plan for refrigerated or electricity-dependent medications.
- Keep a list of important phone numbers, including DMU’s, written down or saved in your contacts. DMU’s main office number is 763.972.0557, and our after-hours number is 651.229.4054.
DMU Is Here to Help
Delano Municipal Utilities is committed to keeping our local power grid safe and dependable. Please contact us as soon as you notice a power outage, and we’ll get to work addressing it. And if you have any other questions or concerns, we are happy to help!