What to do in a power outage in Milwaukee if you have medical equipment, food stamps

Drew Dawson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·2 min read
A We Energies worker works near power lines knocked down by a fallen tree during an August 2020 storm in Kenosha County.

Hot weather and storms are recipe for disasters, especially when the power goes out.

Losing electricity isn't fun, and it can also be dangerous.

An 84-year-old man died over the weekend after his oxygen unit that required electricity failed during power outages caused by a storm.

If the power goes out and you have medical equipment that requires electricity, here is what you should know.

If the power goes out and I have medical equipment that needs electricity, what should I do?

The Milwaukee Department of Health recommends you go to one of their designated cooling sites around the city. There, you'll be able to utilize the outlets available to charge your equipment and cool off in the air conditioning at places like senior centers and libraries.

For those unable to get there on their own, DHS says you can contact the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Milwaukee County if you need transportation to a cooling site. ADRC can be reached at 414-289-6874.

What to know: Here's how you can stay cool during a heat wave

What should I do if the power goes out in Milwaukee County?

  • Report your outage on the Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) app, on the WPS website or by calling 800-450-7240

  • Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines and assume they are energized

  • Report downed power lines to WPS or local law enforcement

  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible

  • Unplug or turn off appliances to avoid overloading when power is restored

  • Stay out of flooded basements or rooms

  • Go to safe shelter if your home is extremely cold or hot

  • Use flashlights, not candles

  • Use generators properly

  • Leave a light on to know when power is restored

  • Check with municipality for shelters or other resources during extended outages

  • Use key for electronic entry doors if keypad is not battery operated

  • Use food safety tips for frozen and refrigerated items

  • Check on neighbors and relatives, especially seniors or anyone with medical conditions

  • Be cautious during flooding and use our flood safety tips

You can find more tips for before, during and after outages on the WPS website.

What if I'm on food stamps and the power goes out?

Food stamp recipients can contact Milwaukee Enrollment Services up to 10 days after a power outage to request replacement benefits if their food was damaged due to an extended power outage. As part of the request, recipients must submit proof of a power outage or other cause of the lost food.

More information can be found on the state Department of Health Services' website.

Drew Dawson can be reached at ddawson@jrn.com or 262-289-1324.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know if power is out in Milwaukee, you have medical equipment