Strong winds walloped the West Coast last night, felling trees, blocking highways and causing sporadic power failures. As utility crews work to restore power, emergency managers urge residents affected by outages to exercise caution and common sense.

“Power outages raise a number of safety concerns as residents seek to light, heat and power their homes from alternative sources,” said FEMA Regional Administrator Ken Murphy. “Emergency power needs can rank right up there with food, water, first aid kits and shelter, but we need to be careful!”

When the power fails, Murphy says people should resist the temptation to call 9-1-1 for information and instead use their battery-powered radio. People also should keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to prevent food spoilage.

Other tips include turning off electric appliances to protect against power surges when power is restored and turning off all lights but one (to alert you when power resumes).

People can plan on cell phones or corded phones for emergency calls – cordless phones require electricity. It’s also a good idea for people to keep their car fuel tank at least half-full (gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps), Murphy added.

Candles can be dangerous fire hazards, he said, adding that flashlights and electric lanterns are safer by far. Battery operated radios and clocks are other essentials, along with a supply of fresh batteries.

If electric wheel chairs or electric life support devices are part of the equation, Murphy said, consider extra battery packs or a prearranged agreement from local police or fire stations for priority support.

Murphy said that people never should use a portable generator in a garage, carport, basement, crawlspace or other enclosed or partially-enclosed area, even with ventilation. If a person starts to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, they should get to fresh air immediately. People also should install home carbon monoxide alarms that have battery back-up.

When the power comes back on, Murphy advises waiting a few minutes before turning on major appliances to help eliminate problems that could occur if there’s a sharp increase in demand. Finally, he said, if you think that electric power has been restored to your area but your home is still without power, call your local power company.