"Power to the people"

  What do you do when the utility power goes out?   (a quiz where you already know the answers)

(We have more detailed information, click here)

A.) Sit and wait for it to come back on, while you hope:

maybe your basement won't flood (read about battery back sump pumps here)
maybe your family and house won't freeze
maybe your food in the refrigerator won't go bad

    B.) Pull out your portable generator:

• add the gasoline, and
  
• either run all the extension cords around the house (how about the furnace? click here)  
  
• or connect one cord that provides power throughout the house (click here)

    C.) Relax as your stand-by generator automatically starts and keeps your house powered (even if you're not home).

• keep relaxing,  there's nothing else you need to do.  

  When the utility power comes back on, do you

    A.) Rejoice and

• start restocking the refrigerator
• clean out the basement

    B.) Disconnect the generator and let it cool down before putting it away again

• don't forget to add the gas stabilizer for the fuel so it doesn't gum up the carburetor parts

    C.) Relax since your stand-by generator already knows the power is back on

it switched back to the utility power and is going through it's shut-down procedure
and it's returning to its weekly self-test and run routine. (We have more detailed information, click here)