Preparing for a Power Outage
5 Dec 2019 Licensed Electrician
Whether you live in an area prone to power outages or you are located on a reliable grid, it is incredibly important to prepare for a power outage before one happens. If you have emergency supplies on hand to deal with a power outage, you will be equipped to avoid emergency situations and be able to ride out the power outage in relative relaxation. At Expert Electric, we know that power outages can create crises for people who are not prepared for them, so we always advise people to be prepared for electrical failures.
How to Prepare for a Power Outage
There are many ways that you can prepare your home and family for a power outage. Making sure that your family is educated and you have taken measures to protect your home and belongings from damage can help to ensure that these events are a minor interruption to your life. Some of the ways that you can prepare for a power outage include:
Develop an Emergency Plan
Sit down with your family (and anyone else in your household) soon and make sure that everyone is aware of what actions to take in the event of a power outage, as well as what to avoid doing. Have different plans outlined for the different reasons for power outages. If the outage was caused by inclement weather, your actions might need to be different from if it was caused by a transformer explosion or another issue. Your plans will need to be dependent on your location, where you can go if you need to vacate the home, the age of any dependents you might have, your methods of heating your home, whether you live in a house or apartment, and any special needs that household members might have. Make sure that you have clearly outlined meetup places and methods of communication. Write out your plan in detail and print out copies so that it is documented for future reference.
Prepare a Power Outage Emergency Kit
Emergency kits should be on hand for any crisis, including power outages. Everyone in the house should know the location of your emergency kit and what it contains. Some of the supplies that should be included in your emergency kit are:
- Flashlights/lanterns
- Extra batteries
- Bottled water
- First-aid supplies
- Radio
- Clock
- Corded telephone
- Cell phone battery pack
- Blankets
- Non-perishable food
- Plenty of games and books
- A copy of your emergency plan
Make sure that you inspect the contents of your emergency kit annually to ensure that they are suitable for your household. Inspect batteries, test electronic supplies, and update everything as needed. Although you can keep candles on hand, it is better to use lanterns to prevent creating a fire hazard.
Prepare Your House
When preparing your home for a power outage, make sure that you have surge protectors in place to protect any sensitive electronics. Post a list of emergency numbers in a central location. Make sure you include a battery operated flashlight in an easy to reach, centralized location so that you can respond quickly to a power outage.
If you are interested in finding out more about the best ways to prepare for a power outage, or if you would like to learn more about the electrical services we provide, please contact Expert Electric at 604-681-8338.
