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Power outages are a common occurrence in all parts of the US. You should always prepare for them, whether they last a few minutes, hours, or several days. These blackouts may happen due to various reasons like big storms, snow, ice, excessive winds, or a system failure at the power plant. No matter the reason, these inconveniences are never welcome.
In the cases of severe weather, most channels usually warn the residents of possible blackouts. However, if the storm has already started, you may not have enough time to prepare for one. Therefore, you should always prepare beforehand. Our experts at [company name] have helped prepare this article to help you know how to prepare for those times.
Emergency Bag
The first step is to have an emergency kit. This not only means the medical items but things that can help you take care of your household as you wait. The kit should contain essential items and always remain fully stocked no matter the time of the year. If you have two homes, both should have an updated kit in case such occurrences find you there.
The contents should include:
- A fully stocked first-aid kit to help manage injuries
- Flashlights for every house member to help you move around the house
- Battery-powered lamps
- Tool kit
- Hand sanitizer
- A whistle to call for help
- Car battery for charging phones
- Emergency cash
- Battery-powered radio
- Garbage bags
- Backup batteries for the flashlights, radio, and lamps
Occasionally, check the bag to ensure that everything is intact and in good condition. If you happen to use the items at one time, restock everything you need.
Water
Water is a basic necessity, and you must always have plenty of water in your home. For your emergency preparedness, we advocate that you store enough water to last three days, assuming that each individual in the house will consume two liters a day. Remember that this is purely drinking water, and you should not waste it on other uses.
If you need to use water for other needs, like flushing the toilet, cooking, or cleaning, store some extra water for that purpose. Your body requires a lot of water to operate daily, and running short of drinking water may cause dehydration, especially during hot weather.
Store the drinking water in clean bottles to keep it fresh for a long time. You can wash milk or soda bottles with warm soapy water and then fill them with tap water. Date the bottles correctly so that when you occasionally inspect your emergency items, you know whether to empty the water or not. However, if you don’t want to store that water, buy bottled water from the store and keep it away from the regularly used water.
Food
If you get caught up in a lockdown or the weather is too harsh to go to the store, you need to have plenty of food stocked up. Don’t wait for an announcement of impending danger to do your shopping; you might find others have already cleared the shelves. Do it as early as possible, especially during the sunny calm days, and keep your pantry stocked.
Emergency food requires non-perishable canned food that can last for months and may not need cooking. This list can help you make your purchases:
- Powdered milk
- Instant tea or coffee
- Peanut butter
- Nuts and seeds
- Canned and dried meat
- Canned and dried fruits
- Cereals
- Granola bars
- Canned fruit juice
- Canned vegetables
- Cookies and chocolate
- Pet food
Make sure that everyone in the home has something they can eat, including your beloved pets. Always check the expiration dates to ensure that your purchase can last for months. It would be a disaster to have emergency food only to find that it expired before you used it.
Fuel and Charge
Since fuel stations use electricity to run their business, a power outage will also affect their operation. Ensure you always have enough spare fuel at home to use in your vehicle in case you need to leave the house. The fuel also comes in handy if you have a backup generator.
Secondly, ensure there is enough charcoal, firewood, and gas for heating and cooking. If you have a gas stove, ensure that you have enough supply to run for some days. Also, store the extra bags of charcoal for your outside grill. You can still enjoy a well-cooked meal even without electricity.
Finally, charge all the cellphones and have a backup phone that always remains fully charged. If you have an electric car, charge it in advance. It may also help you to charge your phones if they run out of power.
Stack up Warmth
Power outages during the winter months can be quite a menace, especially since almost everyone nowadays depends on electric heating. At [company name], we have experienced our fair share of these circumstances and know the importance of remaining prepared.
The first step is to have a backup generator that can keep the home supplied with power as you wait for the electricity. Secondly, make sure you have enough heavy blankets for everyone in the house. If you experience extreme winters in your area, you can add thermal blankets to your shopping list for each person. They help reflect the heat back to the body and keep you warm and cozy. Warm sweaters and jackets are also non-negotiable.
Another brilliant idea is to get zipped modern sleeping bags. You can use these as a blanket and zip yourself in to remain perfectly warm. If you have a furnace, ensure you have a limitless supply of coal or firewood to help keep the entire room warm. However, always prioritize warm clothing, and light the fireplace only when necessary. Since you don’t know how long the outage will last, it’s better to save up on what you have.
Emergency Training
All family members should know how to behave during such emergencies. Teach your kids what can transpire during these outages and what they can expect. These lessons will help prevent panicking and misusing resources. Whereas others may receive these lessons at school, do not assume that your kids know all the facts.
It is best to discuss what steps to take and where everything is with family members. This way, even if a power outage happens and you are not home, they will know the correct procedures, who to call, and what measures to take to keep safe.
Conclusion
A power outage may seem scary to some, but with enough preparation, you will remain calm. Our technicians can help you install gas lines and backup power solutions to keep your home running without electricity. We can help you connect the generator to your home’s wiring so that it will automatically switch on during a blackout.
Our joy is having satisfied well-prepared customers who enjoy their home’s comfort no matter the season. You can rely on us to install and maintain all electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems in your home. We have unmatched quality and always treat our clients as family.
Schedule your appointment with [company name] today. We serve Fox Valley, WI and the surrounding areas.
