It takes more to prepare for a major blackout than keeping some candles and bottles of fresh water in the basement. If you live in a blackout-prone area, there are many more things you can do to prepare for a major electrical interruption.
Learn what you can do to keep yourself and your family safe while you wait for the power to come back on. It’s all in the following guide.
Coordinate a Backup Power Source
Just because the electricity has shut off doesn’t mean you have to live without power. New technological advancements have made investing in whole-home backup power systems easier and more affordable than ever.
Whole-home power systems used to take up tons of space and cause a commotion when switched on. But now, these compact systems combine renewable energy generation capability with maximum storage capacities. You’ll be covered with enough power to run major appliances and charge all your devices any time the lights flick off.
Stock up on Non-Perishable Food and Water
Research conducted by the University of Georgia showed that keeping a three-day supply of non-perishable foods in the home should be considered the bare minimum for any disaster preparedness plan.
Most people know to keep large jugs of water in the home in case the drinking water ever becomes compromised. But it’s easy to forget about food. Stocking up on canned and jarred non-perishables covers one of your most basic needs in an emergency situation, so it should be prioritized in a preparedness plan.
Write Out a List of Emergency Contacts
When an emergency like a long-duration blackout happens, you want to be able to tell your family and loved ones that you’re safe – and check in to see if they are safe. Don’t let your phone be the only place you keep contact information.
Write out a physical list of emergency contacts in the case of a blackout or other emergency. That way, if your phone dies, you can still access those numbers and call from another line.
Keep a Fully Charged Portable Battery on Hand
It’s a smart idea to also keep one or more fully charged portable batteries on hand. Your whole-home backup power system will go a long way in keeping your vital appliances running. It will help extend its capacity if you reduce the demand and charge your personal communication devices in another way.
Don’t Try to Mess With the Circuit Breaker
The National Library of Medicine identifies poorly installed circuit breakers as a major cause of electrical injury within the home. Understand before a blackout happens that you should not try to mess with the circuit breaker. Even if the power is out, you still run the risk of being shocked.
You can also cross wires and cause electrical problems by messing with a circuit breaker during a blackout, and you won’t be able to see the damage done until the lights come back on.
Powering On
Follow these rules and you’ll be able to ride out even a long-duration blackout in style.
