Daylight Saving Time: A Perfect Moment to Power Up Your Family's Emergency Preparedness

Time to refresh home emergency kit ahead of spring storms

ST. LOUIS, March 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- When Ameren customers "spring forward" for daylight saving time on March 8, the annual clock adjustment offers more than just a reminder to change smoke detector batteries; it's also the ideal moment to prepare for the unpredictable weather that comes with spring and summer.

"In recent years, we've seen severe storms develop with little warning, and that's why staying prepared is so important," said Tommie Bugett, director of safety at Ameren. "Daylight saving time naturally reminds us to check our smoke detectors, but we're encouraging customers to go one step further. Use this weekend to restock – or create – your family's emergency kit so you're ready if severe weather or a power outage occurs."

With storms capable of causing extended outages, Ameren emphasizes the importance of ensuring every family member knows where the emergency kit is stored and that its contents are up to date.

Ameren recommends stocking your home emergency preparedness kit with:

• Bottled water
• Non‑perishable food items
• First-aid kit
• Medications
• Sleeping bag or blanket
• Flashlights or lanterns
• Cash (small bills and change)
• Batteries
• Battery-powered radio
• Battery-powered alarm clock
• Ice cooler for temporary food or medication storage
• List of emergency contacts
• Copies of essential documents
• Pet supplies, if applicable

Additional tips to prepare your home before severe weather strikes:

• Fill your vehicle's gas tank.
• Prep your home generator by fueling it and storing extra gasoline safely.
• Fully charge cell phones and essential electronic devices.
• Lower your refrigerator temperature to extend cooling time.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed; frozen food can stay safe for up to 48 hours.
• Unplug sensitive electronics or protect them with surge protectors.
• Download Ameren's mobile app for the easiest way to stay connected to your account from anywhere.

Ameren encourages customers to take these simple steps now to stay safe and prepared all season long.

About Ameren Corporation
St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.4 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission and distribution service, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns and operates rate-regulated regional electric transmission projects in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn.com/company/Ameren.

SOURCE Ameren Corporation