Are you in one of the 340 or so Barrington households, according to National Grid, that are still coping without electricity because of tropical storm Sandy on Monday?

Here are some tips from the American Red Cross for coping with a power outage, which can create a great deal of stress if the outage continues for more than a couple of days.

If the power goes out:

• Contact National Grid if you don’t think the company is aware of the outage, especially if power lines are down in your area. Do not go near downed power lines.
• Turn off and unplug major appliances including televisions, computers, stereos and other electronics to avoid damage from a power surge when the power comes back on.
• Leave on one light so you’ll know when the power is back on.
• Do not use a generator unless it has been properly installed and is properly ventilated to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Avoid unnecessary travel. Traffic lights could be out and power lines could be down, making driving dangerous.
• Check your sources of light. Propane lanterns should be used outside only, not inside, because they give off carbon monoxide, which can kill you.
• If the power is expected to be out for an extended period of time, consider staying with family members or friends or getting a hotel room.

For more power outage safety tips, visit the American Red Cross or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.