Power outages can happen any day, any time and in any region. While some outages will only last briefly, others can go for hours or even days in some rare cases. Sometimes, a warning is sent before a power outage occurs, mainly due to bad weather like torrential rains, ice, snow, or strong winds. But, in most cases, there is no warning, so everyone should always be prepared for a power outage. Here are 11 things you can do to get your home prepped for a power outage.
Plenty of Light Sources
Of course, people do not think about light when the power goes off during the day. But it becomes a problem once the sun sets. Strong light sources are needed to keep a home running smoothly at night with a power outage. Explore several ways to keep your home fully lit and combine several for maximum efficiency.
Candles
Candles are some of the best and easiest ways to keep light sources at home. They do not have to be the costly scented candles; ordinary, affordable candles are fine.
Flashlights
It’s best to have LED flashlights with extra batteries and fully charged power banks to recharge the flashlights if an outage occurs for a few days. Every member of the household should have a flashlight for efficiency.
Electronics and Equipment Protection
Protecting electronics and business equipment is not paranoia. A power outage can cause surges or spikes.
Power surge protectors protect electronics and equipment from damage caused by surges and spikes. They also keep electronic equipment running for a short time when power drops. This is especially important for businesses, allowing enough time to properly shut down equipment and reducing the risk of losing data.
Food Thermometers
A food thermometer is essential in every kitchen. When there is no power, you should avoid opening the refrigerator unnecessarily to keep your food frozen. If your power is out for more than 24 hours, some foods may not be safe to eat as the fridge starts warming up. A thermometer tests the internal temperature, determining how safe the food is for consumption.
Generators
Generators are an efficient solution during a power outage. However, you must be willing to invest thousands of dollars to buy and install one, although the advantages of generators can override the high cost of purchasing and running them.
Generators power appliances and solve numerous power-related problems. You can save money and keep your business running even during the worst power outages with a generator.
Stock Up Enough Water
In some rare instances, the municipal water supply may stop functioning when there is no power. For example, in July 1993, Des Moines, Iowa, home to more than 400,000 residents, experienced a water shortage for 12 days. Any water source that relies on electricity to supply water will stop working during a power outage. Therefore, homeowners should stock up on plenty of water during a power outage.
According to the National Safety Council, living alone requires at least a gallon of water per day. Families should have the same amount for each person and enough water to last for three days.
It is also possible to buy bottled water for drinking. However, filling clean milk jugs or soda bottles with tap water can save money. Cleaning the containers with soapy water and using household bleach to sanitize them ensures that the water lasts for a long time. But the bottles should have tight lids, with the package date indicated, and be stored in a dry, cool place.
Stock Non-Perishable Food Items
Keeping the pantry stocked with non-perishables ensures a homeowner has food to cook when the frozen ones go bad. While other people are fighting to get something in their local stores, someone with foods such as nuts, peanuts, powdered milk, dried meats and canned foods will be coping just fine.
When buying, it’s essential to check expiration dates. Anyone preparing for power outages at home should not purchase their foods from discount stores since they sometimes sell goods about to expire.
Have a Heavy-Duty Freezer
Preparing for power outages at home is incomplete without enough food or water. While there are non-perishables, it is hard to make meals for a big family without some perishables. A heavy-duty freezer preserves foods and keeps them fresh even during an outage.
After a few days of a power outage, food stocked in a fridge will go bad. The best way to preserve food for days or weeks is in a freezer. It should be heavily insulated to hold chill for a longer time. This ensures perishables stay fresh and edible when the power goes out.
Fuel and Charge up In Advance
Make sure you are prepared with all the battery juice in case of a power outage.
Fuel Your Vehicle
Fuel is needed to run a generator and power vehicles. However, gas stations use electricity to pump fuel, which may not be possible during an outage caused by a storm.
Charge your Devices
Some electronic devices need to be fully charged, including hybrid cars, to ensure they are ready for use even when there is no power.
Have Cooking Fuel Alternatives
It is also a great idea to have a charcoal or gas grill and propane stove. Homeowners should have additional charcoal bags and one extra propane gas container. A home with a fireplace means you can keep a woodpile to keep the house warm when there is no power.
Prepare For Cold Temperatures
Blankets are essential, especially if you live in an area with severe winters. They should be combined with high-quality sleeping bags for each person living in the house. Sleeping bags trap body heat and keep people warm when the temperatures are at a freezing point. The best models are the ones that zip up for easy use.
A home should also have thermal blankets. They are also referred to as space blankets and are made of aluminized polyester film, making them highly effective. These blankets trap heat to keep the user warm. They are waterproof and windproof and ideal for use even in outdoor spaces.
A Weather Radio
There are plenty of emergency weather radios in the market. Most of them use solar power and replaceable batteries. Having one in the power outage emergency box helps a homeowner know when to evacuate. Bad weather is a significant cause of power outages, and it’s only safe for people to have some means of getting late news and moving to safe zones.
Final Thoughts
People seldom think about power outages as electricity seems to be there every day. But, even a few minutes of a power outage can affect your home’s appliances’ performance and sometimes damage them. Preparing in advance for power outages at home will save homeowner losses and ensure efficiency even when there is no power.
