First, make sure to fully charge your cellphones, laptops and tablets while you still can.
[Ads /]
Next, get one or more external batteries for your devices, and fully charge those as well.
RELATED: What to do right now to prep for a planned power outage
An old laptop can also be used as an extra charging station for your phone. Charge that up ahead of time too.
Finally, turn down the brightness on your cellphone to extend battery life.
And if you have an electric car, don't forget to charge that beforehand as well.
RELATED: Are you ready for a blackout? Here's how to prepare
Another important tip: Unplug devices during an outage or make sure they're on a surge protector. Power suddenly turning back on can ruin your devices otherwise.
[Ads /]
"Here's the good news about this outage,'' said Connie Guglielmo, editor in chief at CNET. "We know it's coming. So unlike other disasters, earthquakes, pick your disaster, at least this is a planned one so you know what to do."
Major cellphone carriers say they are ready in case of an outage. AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile all said they have backup generators that can be used in case power to their towers goes out. The only hitch is whether they will have access to the towers to refuel those generators. So, if you lose WiFi in a power outage, you still should have access to data.
RELATED PG&E OUTAGE STORIES AND VIDEOS:
- PG&E Power Outages: How to prepare for shut off
- What to do right now to prep for a planned power outage
- Tracker shows how close we are to overloading the power grid
- Here's how to store electricity before a power outage
- How to make your phone's battery last longer
- How to sign up for emergency alerts where you live
- Surviving a long-term power outage
- Consumers can file a claim with PG&E, but will they get paid?
- PG&E Outage: A look back at utility company's history of blackouts
[Ads /]