🌲 What to Do When the Power Goes Out in Lake Arrowhead
April 8, 2025
Simple steps, real talk, and how to stay safe and sane when the lights go out.
If you’ve lived up here in Lake Arrowhead for any amount of time, you already know—power outages come with the territory. Between heavy snow, high winds, wildfire safety shutoffs, and surprise equipment failures, losing electricity isn’t exactly rare.
Still, it always seems to happen at the most inconvenient time, right? You’re halfway through dinner, mid-Netflix binge, or just about to hop in the shower... click—darkness.
Whether it’s your first time losing power up here or your fiftieth, it’s always good to have a plan. So here’s our practical, no-nonsense guide to getting through a power outage in the mountains—with your comfort, safety, and peace of mind intact.
🕯️ Step 1: Stay Calm and Check Your Surroundings
First things first: don’t panic. Take a deep breath. The lights might be out, but you’re not alone. Power outages happen to everyone, and they’re usually resolved within a few hours.
🔍 Start by checking a few key things:
Is it just your house, or the whole street?
If it’s just you, check your main breaker panel—something may have tripped. Flip the main breaker off and back on to reset.
Look out your window.
If you see neighbors without power, it’s likely a wider outage.
Smell anything strange? Hear buzzing?
If you detect a burning smell or hear sparking, call 911 and get out. Safety first.
🔦 Step 2: Grab Your Emergency Supplies
If the power’s going to be out for a while, you’ll want your essentials within reach.
Here’s what we recommend keeping stocked in your home—especially during storm season:
Flashlights (with extra batteries)
Candles or lanterns (use with caution)
Portable phone charger or power bank
Bottled water
Non-perishable snacks
Blankets and warm layers
Battery-powered radio to get updates if cell service goes down
Pro Tip: Keep one flashlight near your bed, one in the kitchen, and one by the front door. That way, you’re not scrambling around in the dark when the power cuts out.
📱 Step 3: Check for Updates (and Let Someone Know You’re Okay)
If your phone still has juice, check in with:
SoCal Edison’s Outage Map: sce.com/outage
Local social media or community Facebook groups
Mountain radio station KBHR 93.3 FM for regional updates
Let a friend or family member know what’s going on—especially if you're home alone or if it's snowing hard out. It never hurts to keep someone in the loop.
❄️ Step 4: Keep Warm, But Be Smart About It
During the winter, power outages can turn chilly fast. If you have a gas fireplace or wood-burning stove, now’s the time to use it (safely, of course).
Avoid these common mistakes:
Don’t bring outdoor propane heaters inside.
Never use your oven or stovetop to heat your home.
Keep a small crack in a window open if you’re burning wood—good ventilation matters.
Bundle up, close off unused rooms, and layer your clothing. You’d be surprised how much body heat a few extra sweatshirts can trap.
🍳 Step 5: Watch What’s in the Fridge
If your fridge and freezer are shut off:
Try not to open them unless you absolutely have to.
A full fridge will keep food cold for about 4 hours.
A full freezer can hold its temp for about 48 hours (24 hours if half full).
Once the power comes back, check food temps or toss anything that smells off. Better safe than sorry.
🔌 Step 6: When the Power Comes Back—Take It Slow
When the lights flicker back on, give your appliances a moment before turning everything on at once. Big surges can trip breakers or even damage sensitive electronics.
Take a quick walk around the house:
Reset clocks and thermostats
Flip breakers back if any tripped
Unplug surge-sensitive devices and plug them back in one at a time
And maybe… just maybe… finally finish that episode you were watching before the power went out.
👷♂️ Got Frequent Outages? We Can Help
If your home loses power more often than your neighbors, or if you’ve got old wiring, an outdated panel, or just want peace of mind during storm season—we’re here.
At Lake Arrowhead Electrical, we can:
Inspect your electrical panel and upgrade if needed
Add backup power options (like generators or battery systems)
Help you prepare your home for outages ahead of time
We’re local, licensed, and we treat your home like it’s our own—because odds are, we live just down the hill.
📞 Need Help? Just Call.
We’re happy to troubleshoot over the phone, come out for an inspection, or help you plan ahead before the next big storm rolls through.
👉 Get in touch with Lake Arrowhead Electrical (909) 403-4740
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