YAKIMA, Wash.- Fire season is in full swing and with record breaking temperatures on the way, power outages loom large. Pacific Power’s de-energization plan forecasts for electricity to be shut off before a wildfire causes extra damage to equipment.
Those power shut offs don’t come with a concrete time to reconnect power, meaning some homes could be without power for hours at a time.
The Yakima Health District recommends preparing for outages by having an emergency kit prepared, including non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries and water.
When the power goes off, refrigerators and freezers should be kept closed to keep the food safe to eat. Anyone with medicine that needs to be kept cold should find alternative ways to keep its temperature.
The Department of Health says most medicine will be safe in a refrigerator for at least three hours even without power, but you should check with your doctor to confirm.
If you rely on medical equipment connected to electricity, you should find alternative sources for power or plan by keeping manual wheelchairs or canes as a backup for an electric scooter.
The DoH also recommends staying on your home’s ground floor, away from the sunlight to stay cool. Since warm air rises, cooler air will be closest to ground level.
If staying in your home without air conditioning becomes unbearable, public cooling centers can offer relief with cooler temperatures and water available. Common cooling centers include libraries, malls and community centers.
Whether you are inside or outside this summer, look for signs of heat illness, including dizziness, nausea, headaches and muscle cramps. If you start to experience those, rest in a cooler area and drink water. Go to a doctor if those symptoms do not change.
