Preparing for a zombie apocalypse. Bracing yourself for the end of the world. Getting ready to host your family for the holidays. While there’s a lot of preparedness discussion for the big scenarios, many end up forgetting one undoubtedly common position you could find yourself in: a power outage. Whether it’s resulting from a natural disaster or another situation, power outages can strike anywhere at any time, leaving you and your family without electricity for days – or even weeks. So, what do you do? Follow these tips for what to do if you have a power outage!
1. Stay Connected
One of the number one power outage tips, especially for extended power outages, is to stay connected with a source of communication. Since your phone may not be an option, you’ll need to break out a survival radio. These radios should offer alternate power sources, like solar, hand-crank, rechargeable batteries, or all three, so you always have open communication. It’s essential to remain in the know with any important updates about the outage, safety information, or any other news. Just make sure you keep your radio readily accessible.
2. Use Your Generator Safely
Have a generator? That’s good; you’re already a step ahead. But – and this is a big power outage tip – you need to know how to use it properly. You should never use your generator enclosed in your home or garage. Why not? When fuel is burned in an unventilated space, it causes carbon monoxide levels to rise to dangerous levels. Being odorless and colorless, you’d be completely unaware. So, what do you do if you have a power outage? Keep your generator outside as far from your house as possible, and direct the exhaust away from any windows.
3. Be Smart with Food and Water
Food and water are two of the essentials to survival, which is why another of our top power outage tips is to have a supply of non-perishable foods for everyone in your home – including any pets. You want to have items like canned goods, shelf-stable meals, emergency food packs, and safe drinking water in a quantity that’ll last you at least 3-7 days.
4. Have a Reliable Light Source
Generator or not, you’re going to need to have a reliable light source in your home during a power outage. Sudden power outages can be disorienting, and windows aren’t going to help at night or in interior rooms. Emergency flashlights provide a quick way to help you navigate your way in the dark or even signal for help. Keep at least one flashlight on hand, along with extra batteries.
5. Prepare in Advance
One of the most effective power outage tips? Being prepared with an emergency kit. Not just for camping and other outdoor excursions, emergency kits have all the necessary tools for survival, like first aid, a flashlight and batteries, communication, and more. Disasters don’t stand a chance.
Learn What to Do if You Have a Power Outage
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