Finding yourself in the middle of a power outage is not only frustrating but also worrisome. You’re not sure when the power will come back on and now have to consider your and your family’s safety.
How long before the food in the refrigerator goes bad? Without power, will you be subjected to extreme temperatures, either hot or cold? If you need to reach someone, then can you do so without your cell phone dying?
These are just a few questions you most likely already have on your mind. When the power goes out, you’ll want to be prepared and know exactly what course of action to take. Being prepared can help reduce stress levels and keep everyone in the family safe and calm.
In the guide below, you’ll learn about a few different to do during a power outage and how to prepare one. So keep reading to get started!
Access Your Cash
Do you have a deep stash of cash in your home? If not, then you should consider creating one. You can keep this cash safe by placing it in a safe box that’s locked and fire/waterproof.
Having cash on hand is essential for any emergency. However, during a power outage, you must consider the possibility of local stores losing power if the stores can’t accept credit or debit cards for transactions.
Be safe and have the cash just in case. Home essential items and gas are a must and might require some money only. Remember, if there’s no power in town, then you’ll most likely not be able to withdraw money from the bank either.
Refrain From Opening the Refrigerator
As soon as the power goes out, it’s essential to refrain from opening the refrigerator and freezer door. The more times the doors are opened, the quicker the cold air will escape and the faster your food will go wrong. So yes, once the power comes back on, the condition of your food will depend on how very long the power was out for. However, there is a way to help keep it cooler for longer.
Place bags of ice in the freezer and keep them there year long. The ice will assist maintain the freezer cold longer. You might want to double the bags to prevent melted ice from flooding the area.
Have enough bags for your refrigerator as well. When the power goes out, quickly move some of the bags into the fridge to keep the food inside colder for longer.
Unplug Everything
The power’s out, and no electronics are turned on. However, if they’re still plugged into the wall, they’re at risk of damage. So the best thing to do is to unplug everything.
When the power comes back on, you can then plug it all back in. It would help if you also placed all light switches except for one in the off position.
Bring Out Your Battery Radio
It’s always a fabulous idea to have a battery radio in your home. Keep new batteries close by too. If the power outage is due to a natural disaster, the battery radio is the best bet for receiving all critical updates.
Keep the radio in a safe and easily accessible place throughout the year. Then, once the power is out, you can quickly grab the radio and tune in to learn updates.
Turn on the Backup Generator
Having a backup generator is crucial. Every home should have one. Then, any time the power goes out, you can turn on your backup generator and give yourself power again.
There are various generators you can choose from, so be sure to find the right one to match your needs. You can go to the site: Able Sales to help find the right generator for your needs. Then, when the power does go out, you’ll be thankful you have one.
Generators can return power, save your food, and keep you comfortable for an extended period until the power is restored. To add a backup generator to your emergency preparation checklist today.
Have a Backup Plan For Medications
Some families have specific medications that require refrigeration or electricity. If this is the situation, you need to have a backup plan for all medicines and medical devices. Then, of course, they have that generator that will come in handy, especially for a situation like this one.
However, you can also contact your medical provider and ask about appropriate actions to take to lose power while needing these medications.
Report the Outage
The very minute the power goes out, you’ll want to determine if it’s a local outage or something affecting only your home. If your neighbours’ power is out as well, then contact your local electric company. You need to report the outage so the company can send workers out to assess and repair the issue.
The immediate you let them know about the outage, the quicker they can get the power turned back on for you.
Don’t Let a Power Outage Take Control of Your Life.
A power outage can cause immense stress. Reduce stress, and remain in control of the situation by staying prepared and knowing what to do once an outage occurs. Remember to follow these helpful tips listed above and always practice caution when lighting candles to provide light or heat.
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