What to do When the Power Goes Out Blackouts can be kind of fun. The whole world shuts down (because all we know now is technology) and we are suddenly forced to be self-sustaining humans again. Unfortunately, many of us have forgotten how to do that. So here are a few pointers to read (before your power goes out) that should help you make it through any power outage safe and sound!
Who to Call First, check to see how widespread the problem is. If it appears to be just your house, check your circuit breakers in your electric panel. If you blew a circuit, call your local service provider for help. If it is your neighborhood, call the local utility company and report the outage. If it is clear what the problem is, let them know. Additionally, if, for example, a power line blew over, you’ll need to warn the company (and alert the police) of the danger. For larger problems, most likely people are already working on it. It may take a while depending on the problem so make sure you are prepared.
Back up Energy If the power is going to be out for a while, you are going to want some kind of back up energy sources. Hand crank flashlights are great to have around the house. You’ll never have to worry about dead batteries or being caught without a source of light. Battery-powered radios, battery-powered flashlights, and small camper gas stoves are also good things to have around. You can use BBQ grills or other outdoor cooking sources, but do NOT bring them indoors unless you want carbon monoxide poisoning.
In Winter Winter outages can be more difficult to cope with in case of an outage. Dark hours are longer, the weather is colder, and access to help might be a little more limited. If the power goes out in the dead of winter, do your best to stay warm. If you have a wood burning stove or fire place, build a fire and huddle around. If you don’t, make sure to wear several layers of clothing, especially knit hats, scarves and gloves. If you are still cold, take a hot shower to warm up your body temperature. If there are elderly or sick people in your neighborhood, it would be good to check on them and make sure that they are taken care of. Especially if they rely on electricity for medical support, you’ll need to make sure they are safe and warm.
Food If you don’t expect the outage to last long, you probably won’t have to worry about food. But do try to keep your fridge shut to preserve the cold. If, however, the power will be out for an extended time, prepare and eat your perishable foods first. But always be prepared with a small food storage to keep yourself fed for days at a time if necessary. There’s no need to worry if the power goes out. Stay warm, safe, well-fed, and enjoy the down time to play games with friends and family! Photo Credit: 3.bp.blogspot.com, desktopwallpaperswide.com