Be Prepared for Outages

The average Idaho Power customer is without power for fewer than 3 hours a year. But sometimes, like in the case of extreme weather or wildfires, outages can last for hours or even days. We want to make sure our customers are ready for any outage, short or long.

What you can do now to prepare:

  • Download our free mobile app to sign up for outage-related push notifications, view the outage map, and track your power status.
  • Sign up to receive alerts of outages at your residence through My Account, and while you’re there, update your contact information if needed.
  • Prepare for medical needs, whether those are related to refrigerated medicine or electrically powered medical equipment. This could mean finding a place you can go during an outage or buying a backup generator.
  • Find a way to feed and water pets, service animals, or livestock in case well pumps don’t have power.
  • Learn how to manually open security gates and garage doors.
  • Plan ahead and gather a kit containing the following items to have on hand in case of an outage:
    • Flashlights
    • Matches
    • Blankets
    • Bottled water (5 gallons per person)
    • Non-perishable food (canned goods, crackers, etc.)
    • Non-electric can opener
    • Baby food or formula and diapers, if needed
    • Pet food, if needed
    • First-aid kit and any prescription medications
    • Battery or solar-powered chargers for your devices
    • Battery-powered radio, clock and flashlight
    • Extra batteries
    • Board games or cards for entertainment
    • A block of ice in the freezer

What you can do if your power goes out:

  • Check our Outage Map. If your power has been out for 10 minutes and you don’t see your outage, report it at 1-800-488-6151. You can also sign up to receive text alerts.
  • For safety reasons, use battery-powered lights instead of candles.
  • Never use an electric generator indoors, inside the garage or near the air intake of your house. If you plan to use a generator during an outage, ensure it meets National Electrical Code Articles 701 and 702 and does not interconnect with Idaho Power’s electrical system. If you have questions, contact us beforehand at 208-388-2323 or 1-800-488-6151. In addition, check out this Using Portable Generators Safely brochure.
  • To protect your appliances, machinery and equipment, turn off any that were in use when the power went out. Make sure to turn off electric ranges or space heaters to prevent the possibility of a fire if you’re away when power is restored. Keep one light on so you know when power has been restored.
    • After power has been restored for about 10 minutes, begin turning on appliances and lighting in 10-minute phases. This keeps circuits from overloading and helps to more quickly and safely restore everyone’s power.
  • To keep food cold longer, avoid opening refrigerator and freezer doors, and keep a large block of ice in the freezer. Find more tips at the CDC’s food safety webpage.
  • If you notice a downed power line, stay at least 100 feet back and report it to Idaho Power by calling 1-800-488-6151. Read more about being safe around downed power lines.

For assistance with a PDF on this page or to request a PDF in an alternate format, please contact Customer Service at 208-388-2323 or 1-800-488-6151