Outage Tips

  • Report your outage by calling (573) 449-4181, or using SmartHub, to ensure that we are aware of your outage for a prompt response.
  • Be prepared. Keep flashlights, batteries, and other important items available for an unexpected power outage. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged each night. Never use candles, as they could start a fire. 
  • Stay away from downed power lines and report them to Boone Electric Cooperative. Do NOT attempt to move or drive over the lines. Even in an outage, power lines may still have an electrical current running through them.
  • If your home or business is flooded, never enter standing water unless you’re absolutely sure the main power has been shut off.
  • Unplug electrical equipment such as stereos, TVs, and computer equipment to help protect them from power surges during power restoration.
  • Turn off breakers to larger items such as water heaters, air conditioning/heating units, to reduce the risk of overloading the electrical grid as power is restored, delaying power restoration efforts
  • Do NOT attempt to assist emergency and utility crews. Electricity can be dangerous. 
  • Turn around, don’t drown. Any time you come to a flooded road, whether driving or walking, avoid the area and move to safer ground. Do not drive around barriers!
  • Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will be congested.
  • If you are using a generator be sure you understand the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to use generators safely. Only use generators away from your home and NEVER run a generator inside a home or garage, or connect it to your home’s electrical system. 
  • If you use special healthcare equipment like oxygen generators or dialysis equipment, make sure Boone Electric Cooperative knows this information to ensure that restoration of power to your house is marked as a priority.  
  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
  • First use perishable food from the refrigerator. Perishables should have a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) or below to be safe to eat. Then use food from the freezer.
  • Use your non-perishable foods and staples after using food from the refrigerator and freezer.
  • If it looks like the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items.
  • Keep food in a dry, cool spot and keep it covered at all times.
  • Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.
  • Turn off or disconnect any appliances (like stoves), equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.
  • Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power comes back on.
  • Dress appropriately during hot weather. Take steps to remain cool if it is hot outside. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. In intense heat when the power may be off for a long time, consider going to a movie theater, shopping mall or “cooling shelter” that may be open in your community. If you remain at home, move to the lowest level of your home, since cool air falls.
  • Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body is trying to cool down or warm up and will use up reserves.
  • During cold weather put on layers of warm clothing if it is cold outside. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors. Never use your oven as a source of heat. If the power may be out for a prolonged period, plan to go to another location (the home of a relative or friend, or a public facility) that has heat to keep warm.