Ross and Witmer It’s smart to know what to do when you find yourself suddenly living without electricity. Even better, it pays to be prepared for a power outage in the first place.
No matter how closely you keep an eye on storm clouds or an ear tuned to warning systems during severe weather, the fact is that a power outage can occur when you least expect it. Just ask anybody who has seen their power go out on a sunny but scorching hot North Carolina day when heavy electrical demand causes a neighborhood blackout.
To prepare, it makes good, common sense to:
- Prepare a back-up lighting plan for your home by assembling candles on every level of your home and especially in key areas such as the kitchen, bathrooms and hallways.
- Restore fresh batteries to flashlights, and have one ready for every member of your family.
- Get a portable radio, which may be your only link to the outside world if the outage disables your computer, laptop or smartphone.
- Purchase a standard first-aid kit from a drug store and keep it in a central location.
- Purchase a case of water, which you may appreciate for the portability factor. Assemble some healthy snacks so that you can minimize the number of times you must open the refrigerator if a power outage occurs.
- Practice opening your electric garage door manually. Keep the gas tanks in your vehicles at least half full.
If a power outage occurs:
- Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings. Refrigerated food should stay chilled for 24 hours; frozen food should be safe for 48 hours. Keep the doors closed as much as possible.
- Unplug all the unnecessary electronics in your home to prevent surges when power is restored.
- Stay cool by going to the coolest room in your home – usually on the lowest level.
- Avoid drinking caffeine and alcohol; they can further dehydrate you in the heat. Break into your supply of bottled water instead
Call Ross & Witmer at any point before, during or after a power outage. We’ll be there to shed light on and provide solutions to whatever condition Mother Nature throws your way.