Power outage tips to make your life easier
Dakota Electric’s reliability ranks among the best in the nation, but summer storm season is upon us and outages can happen for a number of reasons. Below are some tips for making life easier if it happens to you.
Make sure we have your correct phone number on file. Both our online and automated phone reporting systems use the phone number associated with your account to locate your residence during an outage. Update your number by calling us at 651-463-6212 or visiting Update Account Information page.
Report your outage to us. There are three options for reporting an outage.
- Call us at 651-463-6212
- Report it online
- Use Dakota Electric’s free outage app. Note: this needs to be done prior to experiencing an outage. Download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play, then request a code to personalize it to your residence by calling 651-463-6212 or visiting our Power Outage App page.
Knowing when your power will be restored is a bit tricky. Statistically, members experience only one power outage every 3.5 years, and for those that do, their power is out an average of 70 minutes. Many factors determine how long it will actually take to restore power and it’s impossible to know for sure until we identify the cause. You can get real-time updates on your residence by using our outage app. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter for general outage news.
Determining the cause of a power outage takes time.Sometimes it’s apparent why the power is out, such as during a big storm. Other times we don’t know until the problem is investigated. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter. We generally post it when we know it.
Carry a house key with you. You will not be able to use an electric garage door opener during a power outage. Don’t get left out in the cold – plan ahead and carry a house key.
What about food safety? According to Department of Homeland Security, the refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Visit their website to learn more.
And of course, stay away from downed lines. Always assume a downed power line is energized and dangerous. Keep people and pets away until crews arrive and tell you it is safe.
– Kim H., Call Center Supervisor
