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Be prepared for power outages

Summertime in Wisconsin can bring very unpredictable weather, and even a small storm can result in a large power outage. Once the lights go off it's too late to prepare for a power outage, so don't get caught searching in the dark for a flashlight or candles.

Medical Equipment
If you or a family member relies on medical equipment powered by electricity, create an emergency plan. We cannot assure any customer that a storm or equipment problem will not interrupt power. Remember: Keep emergency numbers near medical equipment and regularly test the equipment's back-up power sources.

Sump Pumps and Cordless Phones
Your sump pump runs on electricity, so consider a battery back-up. Choose one that will switch on automatically if an outage occurs. Your cordless phone will not work during a power outage; consider a spare plug-in telephone, or keep your cell phone handy for emergency situations.

Generators
Test your generator every 30 days to make certain that it is in good operating condition. Always follow manufacturer’s directions for safe operation. If back-feeding your generator into your home’s electrical system, ALWAYS use a transfer switch or disconnect your main breaker switch. Failure to do so could injure or kill our lineman working to restore our system, or bystanders who come into contact with wires on the ground.

Assemble An Emergency Kit
Prepare one today by gathering a few basic emergency supplies and placing them in an emergency kit that's easy to locate in the dark. We suggest including these items:

Working Flashlights
Battery-Operated Radio for news & weather reports
Batteries for Flashlights & Radio
Candles & Matches
Blankets
Bottled Water (City customers will still have water to their faucets, rural customers may not)
Canned or Dried Food
A Corded Telephone (cordless phones don't work when power is out.)

Other Things to Keep in Mind

Remember that electric garage door openers will not function during a power outage. Place your unit on "manual" if possible.
Electric sump pumps and pumps used for rural customer's wells also will not work during a power outage.
Protect electrical equipment from possible surges when power is restored. Use surge suppression devices to protect sensitive equipment such as computers, fax machines, answering machines, televisions, stereos and major appliances - or simply unplug them.
A power outage may affect the operation of security and alarm systems.
Protect food from spoiling by keeping freezer and refrigerator doors closed as much as possible. Food will stay frozen up to 48 hours if the door is not opened frequently.
Blinds and curtains will help shield against the heat of the sun, so while the air-conditioning is off you should keep your windows covered.
If you leave your home or business, switch on a light that can be seen from the street. Our crews often "spot check" to ensure all customers have their electricity back on.
For the safety of everyone, stay clear of crews, vehicles and equipment in the area.
After the power is restored, you can safely reconnect appliances and equipment, and reset devices that operate on timers.
Stoughton Utilities’ drinking water and wastewater treatment processes will be active during an outage.

Create a Family Plan
Parents: make sure your children know what to do if an outage happens while they are home alone or with a caretaker.

For more information, please visit our Storm & Outage Center .