Power outages can occur unexpectedly due to a variety of reasons. It includes severe weather conditions, power grid failures, and equipment malfunctions. Unfortunately, you usually can’t control power outages. But you can prepare yourself and your household when the power disappears. By taking proactive measures, you can cut the impact of power outages on your lives and ensure safety.
During power outages, you can expect inconvenience and discomfort during the day. It can be frustrating, especially since everything almost runs on electricity. A power outage can affect your daily routine, work, and lifestyle. To help you get through, below are some ways you can do to prepare your household for power outages:
Prepare Your Power Stations
Experiencing a complete blackout can be pretty inconvenient. It can make living uncomfortable, especially if your entire home runs on electricity. With that, it’ll be helpful to have a bit of electricity inside your home. With minimal power, you can charge your phone, have few lights, or use a USB-powered fan.
You can use the best portable power stations for your home. Depending on how many devices you need to charge, look for a power station with a high-power reserve. What’s great about a portable power station is you can use it outside your home. You can use them for camping or traveling. Also, consider the power station’s output option. Can they charge a device through USB, type C, or a traditional outlet? Even if you’re not expecting any blackout, ensure you fully set your power station.
Assemble Emergency Kit
Emergencies can happen anytime, especially during a power outage. It may include accidents, house disasters, or health concerns. Assembling an emergency kit provides help in case of such situations. You don’t have to search your house for the necessary tools as everything’s in one place.
Your emergency kit should include the following:
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Whistle
- Charger for phones
- Medications
- Cash
- Tool kit
- Battery-powered radio
- Mini hygiene kit
When preparing your emergency kit, assemble it for each family member. It ensures you have enough supplies and provides the necessary help for everyone. Also, make your emergency kit easily accessible in case of sudden need.
Keep Alternative Light Source
Power outages can happen at any time. It can occur during nighttime or even last for more than 24 hours. During those periods, expect darkness inside your home. To keep yourself comfortable, you should look for ways to light your home at night. Apart from your flashlight, you should have an alternative light source.
You can use an emergency light, battery-operated lamp, or light a candle. When using a candle, use a candle holder to avoid accidents. Never leave a lit candle unattended, as it can cause a fire. Place your candle on an elevated surface away from any flammable material.
Stock Up On Water
You can never know when a power outage will last. Even if drinking from the tap, you should always stock up on clean water for the entire family. There are instances where your municipality might turn off the water supply, and it might last for a few hours or days. By stocking up on water, you can keep your entire family hydrated.
Ideally, you should store enough water for at least three days of use. You can separate your water for drinking and cooking. Moreover, ensure that you keep your water well to ensure safety. You can buy large water bottles and store them in a cool, dry place. Alternatively, you can purchase water containers and fill them with tap water to save money. But before storing water, thoroughly clean your containers with a bleaching solution. Replace the water every six months to keep it fresh and clean.
Keep Non-Perishable Goods
You must keep at least three days’ supply of non-perishable foods. It can help keep everyone full when the power outage takes longer.
When storing non-perishable goods, ensure they’re ready to eat and easy to prepare. Ideally, you shouldn’t have to use a tool to open a food that you can just tear. You can also keep some dehydrated food to give you a fuller meal. You must pour hot water, wait for it to ‘cook’, and it should be ready to eat in a few minutes.
Use Surge Protectors
Most of your homes will run on electricity. When they suddenly lose their energy, it can cause your device to break. It can affect its circuit, causing malfunction or harming the power and battery. You can use a surge protector to keep your appliances in their best shape in case of a power outage.
When a power outage happens, your surge protector will come into play. It’ll control the extra voltage and ensure your devices receive steady power. A surge protector can also help you save data before your electricity cuts it off. Plug them into your computers and gaming consoles to avoid data loss.
Get Ready For Extreme Temperatures
You can’t control your home’s temperature without power. Without your HVAC, your home can be uncomfortably hot or cold during a power outage. You should prepare your home for sudden extreme temperature changes. Depending on the season, you can prepare for heat or cold.
You can prepare battery-operated fans, hand fans, and face towels for sweat during summer. You can also stock up on ice using a box cooler to keep you cool while waiting for the light to return. During winter, pile up on thick blankets and sweaters. You can also save some socks, gloves, beanies, and scarves. If you have a fireplace, gather enough materials to light up your home and keep yourselves warm.
Fill Your Gas Tank
You can never know when to leave your home during a power outage. You might need to buy supplies, or you have to relocate due to environmental reasons. But for whichever cause, you must fill your gas tank during such scenarios.
A full gas tank gives you the confidence to drive around places. You don’t have to deal with any sudden gas price surge or lose gas along the way. You can also turn your AC up during summer without worrying about your gas consumption.
Prepare Entertainment
No power inside your home can be tedious. Since most entertainment uses electricity, passing the time comfortably might be daunting. During a power outage, keep yourself occupied to put your thoughts away. Prepare some joy that you or your entire family can use.
You can set out a board game, take out the instruments, or enjoy yourself with arts and crafts. Gather everyone and involve yourself in various activities until the power comes back. Ensure that your games are enjoyable for everyone. You can even invent a new game and let everyone have fun.
Conclusion
There are plenty of things you need to do to prepare your home for a power outage. You can begin by preparing your emergency kit, water and food supplies, and filling your car with gas. You must also look for ways to keep everyone comfortable during the blackout. You need to provide extra warmth or coolness along with some entertainment. While no one enjoys power outages, you must prepare your entire household thoroughly. It’ll give you the convenience and comfort that your family needs.
