Today there was an extended power outage in Gerritsen Beach. The Old Section was the last to come on after a few hours.

We would like to take this opportunity to explain what to do:

Power Problems? – What you should do when your power goes out. (Coned Flyer)

IF THERE IS A POWER OUTAGE:

• First, check to see if a fuse is blown or a circuit breaker has been tripped.
• Call your power provider immediately to report the outage.
  • Con Edison 24-hour hotline: 1-800-75-CONED (752-6633)
    • You can also report an outage on-line on ConEd’s website.
  • National Grid 24-hour hotline: 1-718-643-4050
  • Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) 24-hour hotline: 1-800-490-0025
• Disconnect or turn off all appliances that will go on automatically when service is restored. If several appliances start up at once, they may overload electrical circuits.
• In order to prevent food spoilage, keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Move milk, cheese, meats, and other perishables into the freezer compartment. If the freezer is only partially full, keep all items close together and stacked on top of each other.
• Stay indoors if possible. If you must go outside, stay away from downed and dangling power lines.
• If power will be out for an extended amount of time, consider going to a shelter, hotel or friend or relative’s home that has power. However, ONLY do so when authorities say it is safe to travel (i.e. in the case of a storm).
• Check on people with special needs.

While prolonged power disruptions occur infrequently, it’s always a good idea to be prepared. In addition to the items you keep in your Emergency Supply Kit, consider storing a battery-operated lantern and freezer packs to help keep food cold during a power outage. See Food Supply Preparation for more information about preparing your food supply for an emergency.

Power Conservation Tips:

During periods of intense electrical usage, such as on hot, humid days, it is important to conserve as much energy as possible to avoid brownouts and other electrical disruptions.

• Set your air conditioner thermostat no lower than 78 degrees — a 75-degree setting uses 18 percent more electricity and a 72-degree setting uses 39 percent more electricity. This setting allows for sufficient cooling while still conserving electric power.
• Only use an air conditioner when you are home. If you want to cool your room down before you arrive home, set a timer to have it switch on no more than one-half hour before you arrive
• Turn off all nonessential appliances.
• Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms.
• Only use appliances that have heavy electrical loads (dishwashers, washers, dryers) early in the morning or very late at night.