Winter months are just around the corner, meaning that you are going to be much more likely to experience power outages in the coming months. In order to be able to get through that difficult time of the year, you should ensure that your house is ready for any power outages that might occur.
Would you like to know how to go about doing it? If so, this article is definitely for you! Here, you will find a list of steps that you need to take to prepare your house for a power outage. It will touch upon a few important things, including planning things out, stocking up on food and water, and taking precautions against theft. Check it out!
Plan in Advance
One of the first things that you should do in order to prepare your house for a power outage is to plan things out. What do you need to buy? What will you need to do? Other than that, you will need to keep your family informed about what each one of you is going to be doing. That way, you will reduce confusion and end up being much more efficient.
Ideally, you should write your plan down on a piece of paper and put it in a place where each family member will be able to access it, such as a kitchen drawer.
Purchase a Portable Generator
You should get your hands on a reliable portable generator if you have not done it already! It will help keep your appliances and devices running in the event of a power outage, allowing you to feel comfortable and safe.
Portable generators come in a bunch of different types of sizes.You should look at 10powerup.com and find one that is suitable for your house.
It is important to note that portable generators can be noisy and emit fumes, meaning that you should think about the generator’s placement ahead of time. In addition to that, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter when hooking up and using the generator.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
It is important that you prepare an emergency kit, which is a bag that contains equipment, medications, and supplies that will help you manage potentially life-threatening conditions. In order to assemble your kit, you should prepare one/two easy-to-carry containers, such as duffel bags.
Your emergency kit should include a three-day supply of food and water, a battery-powered/hand-crank radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, extra batteries, moist towelettes, garbage bags, a wrench, pliers, a can opener, local maps, and a cell phone.
Other than that, you should add a few additional items to your kit, including prescription medications, non-prescription medications like painkillers and anti-diarrhea medication, cash, important family documents, sleeping bags, warm blankets, a complete change of clothing, matches in a waterproof container, as well as paper and a pencil.
Stockpile Water and Non-Perishable Foods
In the event of a power outage, you might not be able to cook/buy food. Because of that, it would be great if you stocked up on water and non-perishable food. The most filling and nutritious non-perishable foods include canned soups and vegetables, canned fruits and fruit juices, dried foods like beans, rice, pasta, and whole grains, as well as protein foods like nuts, peanut butter, canned meat, and fish.
Get a Water Filter
Most people rely on the water from the faucet for drinking and cooking. Unfortunately, a power outage might cause your water supply to be cut off. In such a situation, you will need to find a different source of water.
Ideally, you should stock up on bottled water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. In addition to that, you can get a water filter. It will allow you to make use of contaminated water without having to worry about falling sick. Before making a purchase, shop around, check out different water filters and choose one that is easy to use, reliable, and long-lasting.
Prepare Flashlights and Extra Batteries
One of the things that you should not forget to prepare is a flashlight and extra batteries. You can use the flashlight to perform important tasks in the dark, as well as signaling. You should be able to purchase a reliable flashlight in your local hardware store. It would be great if you bought a portable LED flashlight, as it uses less energy than regular flashlights, meaning that it can last a long while.
Plan Some Interesting Activities
In the event of a power outage, you should have something to do to pass the time while waiting for the power to come back on. For instance, you can play board games and cards while listening to the radio. You can use this time to teach your children something useful, too! You can work on your sewing skills, paint, draw, read books – it is up to you!
Disconnect Appliances/Electronics
If you are expecting a power outage, you should disconnect appliances and electronics in order to avoid damage from electrical surges. The most important appliances and electronics that you should disconnect are the refrigerator, the freezer, the coffee maker, the toaster, your computer and modem, consoles, and the microwave.
Prepare for Cold Temperatures
What if it gets cold? In order to feel comfortable, you should prepare for cold temperatures. You will need to ensure that you have one/two working space heaters, thermal blankets, and plenty of warm clothing, such as fleece jackets, down vests, beanies, gloves, and insulated jackets.
Take Precautions Against Theft
If you live in an area where crime rates are high, you might want to take precautions against theft. Lock your windows and doors and keep your house well-lit in order to scare away potential intruders. In addition to that, invest in a house alarm system that can be powered using batteries.
Know Your Medical Needs
If you/your family member has special medical needs and is reliant on medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines, talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan. You need to know how long your medication can be stored in higher temperatures, as well as get specific guidance regarding medications that are critical for life.
Do the Laundry Ahead of Time
Your washer and dryer will not work when the electricity is out. In order to avoid having to go through the trouble of hand-washing your clothes, you should do the laundry ahead of time. Wash as many loads as you can so that you will not run out of clean clothes!
In Conclusion
To sum up, you can prepare your house and your family for a power outage in a number of ways. For instance, you can build an emergency preparedness kit, get a water filter, buy a portable generator, and stock up on batteries and flashlights, as well as stockpile water and non-perishable food, such as canned soups and vegetables. In addition to that, you should prepare an emergency plan and let your family members know what the plan is about. That way, you will be able to act quickly and stay safe!
Steps to Make Sure That Your House Is Ready for a Power Outage is a collaborative post
