Electricity is a necessity in our day-to-day lives. Because of this, it’s important to be prepared so you can minimize disruptions during a power outage. Hurricanes, natural disasters, car accidents, and even human error can lead to problems with the electrical grid. Here are a few tips to prepare for a power outage.
Many times the power loss is short-lived and the electricity is restored quickly. Other times, however, the power may be out for hours or even days. Depending on the season and your local climate, this could be dangerous for you and your family.
Tips To Prepare Yourself for a Power Outage
Here are a few simple tips for homeowners to make sure you’re fully prepared for a power outage. A few hours without power is a minor inconvenience, but a few days or weeks without electricity is a more serious situation.
1. Stock Up on Food and Water
To be prepared, have non-perishable food items on hand. Plan for meals that don’t have to be cooked. Store enough food to feed your family for a minimum of two days. Each member of your household will require an average of a gallon of water per day.
The refrigerator won’t have power, so make a plan to eat refrigerated foods first before they go bad. During an outage, the oven won’t work. Keep a camp stove on hand with charcoal or propane fuel for cooking.
2. Charge Batteries of Electronic Devices to Prepare for a Power Outage
If you know severe weather is on the way, charge all of your electronic devices. Power banks are convenient for powering cell phones or tablets when electricity is not available, so make sure they are charged as well. Keep extra batteries in your home to power flashlights and a small radio in case of an emergency.
3. Assemble an Emergency Kit
Put together a disaster kit filled with important items like clothing, blankets, batteries, flashlights, and candles. It’s smart to have first-aid supplies on hand and keep a supply of necessary medications in the kit. If you have pets, add their food and basic pet needs to your emergency kit.
4. Invest in a Generator
If you live in an area where outages frequently occur, invest in a home generator so you can provide your home with enough power to keep the refrigerator and other important systems running.
5. Plan for Warmth to Prepare for a Power Outage
When the power goes out during winter, it may get cold in your home. Have warm clothing and blankets on hand so family members will be comfortable. If the weather is cold, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible to keep heat inside the home.
6. Provide Light for Your Household
Stock up on candles, matches, and flashlights. Purchase a flashlight or headlamp for each member of your family. Young children should have their own, as it helps them feel more secure. Keep batteries on hand and make sure there is a flashlight in an easy-to-reach place on each floor of the house.
You can also use solar-powered lights from your landscaping in an emergency. Put them outside to charge during the day and bring them indoors to help add light in home at night.
Use the above tips to prepare for a power outage. Your family will feel safer with a plan and plenty of supplies on hand.
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