Know what to do if your power goes out.

Power outages can occur anytime, but most often during high winds, electrical storms or icy weather conditions. During extreme conditions, your power could be off for more than 72 hours. Be prepared! If your neighborhood or home experiences a power outage, follow these preparedness tips:

Five simple steps:

• Report the outage to MLG&W at their hotline by calling (901) 544-6500.
• Turn off and unplug all of your appliances and computers. Leave one light on in your home or on your porch to indicate when power has been restored.
• Make sure everyone knows where to find your emergency kit and flashlights. Don’t forget batteries as well as a battery-operated or hand-cranked radio.
• Use caution with candles as they are fire hazards. Do not leave burning candles unattended or in the reach of children or pets.
• In case of a winter outage, do not use a gas stove for heating or operate a generator indoors (including the garage) due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.