What to do if you lose power [Video]

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — After more than 33,000 residents and businesses lost power in the city of Maricopa Tuesday morning, Arizona’s Family is taking a closer look at what you should do if you ever lose electricity.

“Don’t start calling 911 just to try to get information; that’s going to overload the system,” Phoenix Fire Captain Rob McDade said.

McDade said it’s always good to have at least a gallon of water in your home along with flashlights. He said don’t use candles at night if your power goes out, always use a flashlight.

“Let’s make sure we’ve got enough batteries,” he said. “We’ve got AA and AAA in your fridge because that’s going to make them last longer.”

Another thing McDade says to remember is never use a portable generator inside the home if your power is out.

“A lot of people buy generators as a backup power source for them. Don’t run them indoors,” McDade said. “Believe it or not, we …