Power outages can be very frustrating. And if you are not prepared for one, it can be outright scary. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to prepare your home for an outage. The best part is that they are pretty easy to follow through.
This guide will tell you all the practical ways to prepare your home for an outage. These tips will help you keep yourself and your family safe.
Tips to Effectively Prepare Your Home for a Power Outage
When there is a power outage, you must take care of your basics first. So, it would include alternative power sources, food, and shelter. Here are all the things you need to do:
Have Alternative Power Sources Ready
The best way to prepare for an outage is to ensure you have some sort of alternate power. You do not need to buy a gigantic generator to power your home for weeks. But a moderately sized one will at least give you some backup power.
Get one that will at least power the essentials. So, a few lights, refrigerators, and any medical appliances that need to be powered. You can also find good quality electric stoves that can be hooked up to a generator for making food.
However, remember never to use generators indoors. It is way too risky. Moreover, some battery-powered lights for everyone in your home are also necessary. If you need any help installing an alternative power source, be sure to contact us.
Disconnect All Electrical Appliances
Disconnect all your electrical appliances. When there is a power outage, there is also a chance of a power surge. It could damage your appliances if they are plugged in. Unplugging electronic devices will keep them safe.
If you have a powerful enough generator, your refrigerator can be plugged in to keep perishables fresh during an outage. However, it might be best to buy a small refrigerator specifically for a power outage. Those do not take up much electricity.
Keep Enough Food and Water
Non-perishable foods are your best option during a power outage. They are easy to store and will keep for a long time. Foods like peanut butter, canned fruits, beef/chicken bullions, nuts, instant coffee, seeds, cookies and chocolate are perfect.
Also, do not forget to store water as well. Your water supply during a power outage will most likely not be affected. But it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Keep First Aid Kits and Other Essentials Handy
Accidents can happen at any time. And the worst time to deal with an accident is when there is a power outage. Keep a first aid kit handy. In addition, it is also important to keep essentials like battery-powered fans, tool kits, radios, and hand sanitary wipes around during an outage.
Buy a Carbon Monoxide Detector
Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas which can be fatal. The worst part is it can cause death without any warning. During power outages caused by a storm, carbon monoxide levels can spike. Moreover, they are very hard to detect without proper equipment. This is why you should also install a carbon monoxide detector at every level of your house and your bedroom.
Do Not Forget to Pay Attention to Your Medical Needs
Another important thing to remember is the medical needs of the people in your home. Some medicines might need to be refrigerated, electrical medical equipment, etc. Research beforehand how long your meds can be kept outside at room temperature. Also, if electrical medical devices exist, ensure your generator is powerful enough to run it.
Keep Yourself Occupied
When the power is out, it can be easy to become anxious. So, stocking up on some entertainment is always a good idea. You can stash a couple of board games. Moreover, you can also play games like charades. It will keep you and your family occupied and make you less anxious. Reading a book will help too!
Prepare Your Refrigerator
Always keep your refrigerator doors closed when there is a power outage. It will keep its contents fresh for longer. Moreover, you will also save energy. With the doors closed, foods inside the refrigerators should stay good for at least 4 hours if there is no power.
Is Solar a Viable Option?
A very effective way of dealing with power outages is using solar energy. Granted, this is not the easiest solution to implement. However, if you live in an area with frequent power outages, switching to solar power can keep all the essentials running until the power is back on.
This option needs the most planning. Installing solar panels and ensuring everything works right can cost between $18,000 – $20,000, which is certainly not a number to scoff at. But you will save money on utility bills in the long run.
In addition, when there is a power outage and the day is sunny, you can at least power the essentials during the day.
What to Do After Power Comes Back On?
When the power comes back on, there are some things you need to take care of right away. Make sure you turn off all generators and plug in all the electrical appliances back in.
If you lit any candles or fireplaces, ensure those are all extinguished. Then check on your supplies. How much have you used up? If anything food is spoiled, throw it away and put all the foods that are still fresh back in the pantry.
Get a power outage checklist as well. When the power comes back, go through the checklist and set up everything again accordingly. This will help you be prepared for the next one.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know how to prepare your home for a power outage, you can keep yourself and your family safe. If your home is ready for an outage, you will have a much easier time dealing with it.
Always stay calm and follow all safety protocols during the power outage. In addition, it is always a good idea to have a battery-powered radio. It will be helpful to know about any updates about the outage. If you need any help with mitigating or preventing a power issue, feel free to get in touch with us.
RMS Solutions 