Never Suffer From Power Outages Again

Never Suffer From Power Outages Again

power outages

Power outages, blackouts, power failures, power cuts….

What do all of these mean?

To put it simply, all of these terms just mean that there is a loss of power to an area, which could be short-term or it could be long-term.

There are actually three different types of outages:

Blackout
This is the most extreme type of outage because there is a complete loss of power. These outages can last from a few hours to a few weeks. In this category, it is generally difficult to fix the problem.
Permanent Fault
This type causes a huge loss of power but it is from a fault on a powerline. The good thing about this one is that once that has been cleared, the power comes back on automatically.
Brownout
Brownouts are not a complete loss of power, but it actually causes a dimming of lights because the electrical voltage drops. Now, this may not sound too bad, but think about any important machinery… it can drastically affect the performance of high power operated machinery.

Enough with the boring stuff…
You want to know how survive, prepare, and manage power outages right?

There are many items to consider when it comes to something like a blackout.
Food, heat, lighting,...the list goes on.

We’re going to take take you on a journey to learn everything you need to know to ensure the wellbeing of you and your family in an outage.

FOOD & WATER

Food in your refrigerator will only stay good for 2 days at most, so if there is no sign of power coming back on quickly, it is best to eat the foods in your fridge so that you don’t have to throw it away. On that same note, when you go into the fridge, get everything you want in one go. The more that it is opened up and cold air comes out, the less time the food inside will stay fresh.
It’ll be important to have non-perishable foods stored at your home, especially foods that are ready to eat without cooking. (Don’t forget a hand held can opener...or two!) Dehydrated foods, canned goods, dried fruits, etc. Start with your perishables first.
Stock up on bottles of water. Since you don’t know how long the outage could last, you can follow this rule of thumb; 1-2 gallons per person, per day. (Don’t forget to stock up for any pets you may have)
Storing water can take up a lot of space. To offset this a bit, you can get a portable water filtration system so that if need be, you could drink questionable water and be safe about it.

COOKING

Charcoal or propane grills are great sources to cook your food when the power is out, but please do not bring these items into the house or even the garage. This can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you have matches and a gas stove, you may still be able to light the stove up and use it.
Camping stoves really are a handy item to have for this situation. They are small, easily stowed away, and simple to use in a pinch.

HEATING & COOLING

In the middle of winter, the last thing you want is to be without heat. People with fireplaces ought to have firewood stocked up at all times to prepare.
Propane or kerosene heaters are another viable option to keep warm.
Portable fans that are battery powered are a great source to keep cool.(Just don’t forget to stock batteries!)

POWER

Obviously we know there is a power outage, buuuut a good way around this is to have a small portable generator. You don’t need to go get the largest, most expensive one, but a smaller one may be useful for the important things such as a light, refrigerator (depending on the size of the generator), or radios/cell phone charging.
Those who are really serious about preparing may be interested in getting some solar panels or a wind generator. Just be sure if you are going with this route, to get a battery backup system so that you can store the power that these create for when you need it.

LIGHTING

Grab some battery powered lanterns, kerosene lanterns, candles (don’t forget matches or lighters), and flashlights (don’t forget batteries). Make sure these are easily accessible in case you are trying to locate these in the dark.
Yes, we just mentioned this, but it can’t be said enough...get extra extra extra batteries and matches!

COMMUNICATION

If the outage is massive enough, you may not have cell phone service, or even if you do, maybe you don’t have a way to charge your phone. Battery operated radios are great ways to be aware of what is happening so that you can stay informed.
Hand-crank radios are great to have as well. Some of these can even charge your small mobile devices.
Walkie-talkies are a good option as long as they have a decent range to be able to communicate.
Having a car charger for your phone is a great way to make sure you’re able to contact your loved ones.

Alright...so you are prepared!

But wait, there’s more!

We’ve got some great tips and ideas that will not only help you in any power outages that may happen, but will also make it more bearable!

Helpful Tips:

Since it is only a power outage, it is a great idea to get out of the house during the day and do something. Many times people feel like they have to stay home, but unless there is danger, a storm, or something that you should avoid, it’s okay to get out.
Keep an extra gas can filled or try to always keep at least a half tank in your car. Gas stations heavily rely on electricity for their gas pumps and you may not be able to get gas if you need to leave.
Unplug all electronics. (computers, tv’s, etc) When the power comes on, it is possible that there may be a power surge and it could damage your electronics.
Stock up on paper plates and plasticware for meals. Doing this will help you to conserve any water and you won’t have to wash dishes.
Lastly, have some entertainment items on hand. Just because there is no power doesn’t mean to you can’t enjoy yourself! Card games, board games, books, and magazines are all great ways to stay entertained.