November is when the wind arrives. Trees come down on rural roads, lines go with them, and an outage here can last days. Here's one hour that will make the next storm easier.
When the power goes out or a pipe breaks at 11 at night, you don't want to be hunting for the shutoff with a phone flashlight. Do it now, in daylight, with everyone in the house watching.
Your hour this month
- Find your shutoffs. Gas or propane, water, and the main electrical breaker. Walk to each one with everyone who lives in the house.
- Label them. A tag or a paint pen is enough. Write which way to turn it.
- Hang a wrench by the gas or propane meter. Zip-tie it so it stays there. Only shut off gas if you smell or hear it leaking — once it's off, the utility has to turn it back on.
- Make your generator plan. Decide now where it will sit, and check you have fuel, oil, and heavy outdoor-rated cords.
Generators: the three rules
- Outdoors only, at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents. Never in a garage, even with the door open.
- Never backfeed. Don't plug a generator into a wall outlet. It can kill the line crew working to get your power back. Use a transfer switch installed by an electrician.
- Install CO alarms on every level of the house, and test them while you're at it.
Want the full version — sizing, transfer switches, fuel storage, cords, and well pumps? Read Using a generator safely: a North End deep dive.
On a well? No power means no pump. Fill water containers and the bathtub before a forecast storm, and keep two weeks of drinking water put by.
More: Winter storms & power outages · Get alerts · One Hour a Month