What Can I do to Prepare for Power Outages?

11/14/2019 (Permalink)

Candles are the go-to source of light during a power outage.

What Can I do to Prepare for Power Outages?

The potential for a power outage is a risk for all households, no matter the location. Whether as a result of a big storm, equipment failure, or even wildlife, power outages can occur seemingly out of nowhere and when we least expect it, leaving families scrambling to figure out what to do next. While a brief power outage might not cause too much of a disruption to work or routine, an outage lasting hours or even days can have a great impact on your comfort and even safety. For this reason, taking proper steps for how to prepare for power outages is crucial. From gathering power outage supplies to learning tips for cooking without electricity, and more, use the following to navigate life in your home with no electricity.

Before a Power Outage

When thinking about how to prepare for power outages, it is important to consider what can be done before an outage actually occurs. In fact, how you fare during an outage is entirely dependent on the actions you take before one actually occurs. Fortunately, there are a number of preventative steps you can take today to prepare for periods of no electricity.

Gather power outage supplies. The most important preemptive step to take is to gather your power outage supplies you’ll need if there is no electricity. Power outage supplies will include items such as flashlights, bottled water, candles, batteries, lighters, and even a hand-crank radio. Also, keep in mind that no electricity means no heat or air conditioning. Stock up on warm blankets or battery operated fans to help regulate temperature to keep you and loved ones comfortable while waiting for power to be restored.

Also crucial to your inventory of power outage supplies is food for power outages. The amount of food for power outage you store will vary, but you should plan to have at least a few day’s worth of food per person. If you have pets, make sure you have enough extra food to last a few days as well. Because cooking without electricity can be tricky, stock up on nonperishable food items that can be prepared and consumed with no electricity. Foods such as canned beans and veggies, protein bars, and granola make great options for food for power outages. Cooking without electricity is possible with a gas-powered cooking tool, however grills and other appliances should only be used if conditions are safe.

Create a family emergency plan. Power outages that strike out of nowhere can be scary, causing a lot of stress and anxiety especially for younger members of the family. For this reason, it is important to discuss as a family the steps you’ll take if there is no electricity. Make sure every member of the family know where the power outage supplies are kept, and that they can each easily reach and access the power outage supplies they need if the power fails.

Another important component of the family emergency plan for how to prepare for power outages is determining a meeting place away from home. In some cases, a lack of electricity can make the home unsafe and uninhabitable. Should this be the case, your family should have a designated alternate meeting location.

During a Power Outage

During a power outage it is most important to remember to stay calm. While it’s easy to worry in such a high stress situation, staying calm will help you think more clearly and will keep children and other family members at ease. If you’ve taken the proper steps to prepare for a period of time with no electricity, remind yourself that you are ready and equipped to make it through a power outage. There are  few actions to take directly following the start of a power outage. These include:

Unplugging electronics from outlets. Following a power outage, it’s possible that power surges might occur. If you have appliances or other electronics plugged into outlets, they would be at risk for damage or even ruin in the event of a power surge.

Safety first. Stressful situations often lead us to consider potentially risky decisions, but remember that safety is always the first priority. Do not use camp stoves, gas stoves, or outdoor grills to heat the interior of your home, as you could easily start a life-threatening fire or leak carbon monoxide into the house. Further, if using candles or lighter to see, make sure they are never left unattended or near flammable items like curtains or blankets. When there is no electricity, making sure you and your family are safe can help you get through a power outage without causing further damage.

Ask for help. In most cases when a power outage occurs, the homes around you are experiencing the same event. If you don’t have the proper supplies to make it through the outage safely, don’t be afraid to reach out for help from neighbors. Those around you will likely be willing to offer what they can, and you can do the same in exchange.  

After a Power Outage

Once you’ve made it through a power outage, you can start to reconnect appliances and electronics you have unplugged. Check that they are still functioning properly and have not been damaged by a power surge. Following the outage, you’ll also want to check the status of food items in the refrigerator. Loss of power for an extended period of time likely means certain items have spoiled and will need to be thrown away.

Managing Power Outages with SERVPRO

Following a power outage, you may experience damage in need of professional cleanup, repair, and restoration. The experts at SERVPRO of North Fulton are here to help, offering a wide variety of unmatched services you won’t get with smaller firms. A nationally recognized brand, SERVPRO of North Fulton services homes of all types and sizes, helping families restore their houses to like-new conditions following damage. Contact us today to discuss your specific needs, and determine an affordable, satisfaction-guaranteed plan of action you can only get with SERVPRO of North Fulton.