Prepare for an Outage

Monitor the weather and know what conditions are forecasted for your area.
Check to see if shrubs or trees need trimming or if you have any weak limbs. Be particularly careful when working near power lines.
Compile a storm preparedness kit, including essential medicines, non-perishable food items and water, flashlights, portable radios, extra batteries and a manual can opener.
Make a list of emergency phone numbers. Include NIPSCO’s 24-hour Customer Service Line 1-800-4NIPSCO (1-800-464-7726).
If someone in your family requires life support equipment, make prior arrangements for a back-up power supply. This may mean having a back-up power supply such as a generator or going to a health care facility that has back-up power.
If severe weather calls for a tornado, pick a safe place where family members can gather. It could be your basement or, if there is no basement, a center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor.
Fill your gas tank, as gas pumps do not work if electricity is out.
Have cash on hand. Automatic teller machines will also be shut off if the power goes out.
If you have an automatic garage door opener, know how to open and close the door in the event of a power failure.

Follow local news for up-to-date storm information, including knowing what a tornado WATCH and WARNING means.
Do not touch downed or hanging power lines or anything touching them.
Keep away from windows.
Keep candles away from furniture, draperies and other flammable materials. Also, keep children and pets away from open flames.
Do not use a stove or grill to heat your home.
If using a generator, locate the unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. More generator tips.
Disconnect or turn off appliances that were on when the power outage occurred. Leave a light on so you will know when power is restored.
If you leave your home while the power is out, double-check that all heat producing appliances, such as stoves, irons and curling irons are unplugged before you leave.
Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer. Food will stay frozen in a fully loaded freezer for 36 to 48 hours if the doors remain closed. If the freezer is half full, the food will generally keep 24 hours.
If there is severe damage and it appears that the outage will last an extended period of time, consider moving to an alternate location.

Do not touch downed or hanging power lines or anything touching them.
Throw away any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
If your community experiences a disaster, register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well website available through RedCross.org to let your family and friends know about your welfare. If you don’t haveInternet access, call 1-866-GET-INFO to register yourself and your family.