Power outages can be more than a simple nuisance. When the power goes out, your family can be in danger. Thankfully, there are some simple ways you can prepare for a power outage and ensure your family and home are safe from needing electrical repairs.
What to Do Before a Power Outage
There are things you need to do now to prepare for the possibility of a power outage. Acting now will keep your home and family safe and help you avoid risks that can cause damage to your electronics and the possibilities of fire.
- If you have electronic medical equipment, register it with your electricity provider right away.
- Have a generator installed to ensure you have a backup supply of electricity. A whole-house generator installation will give you great peace of mind.
- Create a disaster preparedness kit that includes candles, flashlights, a wind-up clock, battery-powered radio, and plenty of extra batteries. Also, have plenty of ready to eat foods and snacks on hand, along with drinking water.
- Ensure your home has a safe fuel-powered heating source. Do not use fuel generators or burn charcoal in your home because they give off carbon monoxide that is deadly.
- Learn how to open your electric garage opener without power.
How to Protect Your Family and Home During a Power Outage
When the power goes out, it is important you do not panic. Take the following steps to protect your family.
- Check the electric panel to ensure no breakers have tripped.
- Shut off all light switches and turn all lamps to the off position.
- Unplug any electronics in the home, including televisions and gaming consoles.
- Unplug all appliances except your freezer and refrigerator.
- Remember to leave one lamp on so you will know when the power is restored to your home.
- Make sure to stay away from any downed power lines or those that are sagging. Serious injuries and death can occur with contact. Contact a residential electrician if you have wiring damage.
Food Safety During and After a Power Outage
Food safety is of extreme importance during and after a power outage. Perishable foods can spoil quickly and may not be safe to consume. Consider the following steps to ensure your food is safe and your family’s health guarded.
- Keep your refrigerator and freezer shut. Food will stay safe in your refrigerator up to four hours without electricity. Foods in the freezer can remain safe up to 48 hours.
- Consume the foods that are most likely to spoil first.
- Pack an ice chest with ice or snow to store cold foods. You can also pack your washing machine with ice and use it as a cooler.
- Be careful if storing perishable foods outdoors in the cold because the temperature may vary, and the food may attract wild animals.
- If you are unsure of the safety of perishable food, throw it out. Never taste food to see if it is good because it can lead to food-borne illnesses.
Seek Generator Installation to Protect Your Family and Home
Power outages can happen when you least expect them, but are more likely to occur during the winter or during electric storms. When power outages occur, people sometimes panic and may make poor choices. The following are some of the reasons you should seek a residential electrician to
install a generator.
- If your power goes out for any reason, the whole-house generator kicks in immediately. The generator will power your major appliances, keeping your food safe.
- A whole-house generator is automatic. You will not have to purchase fuel or start up the generator. The moment the power goes out, the generator will kick in and begin powering your home.
- Generators are cost-effective because they are powered by affordable fuel. You will never have to worry about running out of fuel because these generators are hooked into natural gas lines or powered by propane tanks.
- Generators also offer convenience to your home and family. Your HVAC system can continue to operate, along with all your appliances. Your family will not have to worry about shivering in the cold or sweltering in the heat.
- A generator will provide peace of mind because you know your home and family will never be without electricity.
Protect Yourself During Power Outages
Power outages can occur without warning and can be highly stressful. In the event of a power outage, taking care of the above steps will keep your home and family safe. Practice safety at all times to avoid electric shock or electric component damage.
