Preparing For A Power Cut In 2020
Storms, blizzards, and other things can all be the cause of a power cut. Whatever the reason for a power cut, you want to make sure you’re prepared. You’ll have peace of mind and will be able to carry on somewhat as normal. Read on for some advice on how you can prepare for a power cut in 2020:
Where’s Your Flashlight?
Start by making sure you have a few flashlights ready. Could you find your flashlight in the dark? Do you have extra batteries? Rechargeable and fully charged flashlights can be useful at times like this.
Prepare your kids with their own flashlight and try to ease their fears around the dark, too. Many kids may panic if the lights go out, which is why practicing may help. It could be a good idea to have a fire extinguisher on hand, too, in case you need to use it for candles and matches.
Putting A Kit Together
Putting an emergency kit together will give you peace of mind. You can store your flashlight here, as well as other things you may need for a power cut. Include a battery operated radio to stay up to date with news. You might also want to have a backup generator on hand, like one from Generac generators so you can keep going no matter what. It’s also a good idea to have bottled water and ready to eat food there.
Figure Out Why The Power Is Out
Take a look at your main electric panel and see if you can figure out the reason for losing your power. Have your neighbors lost their power too? If not, then it looks like something going on with your own supply.
Turn Off Your Appliances
Go around the house switching off your appliances at the wall. If the power comes back on and you haven’t done this, the electrical surge could be sensitive for computers and other appliances. Don’t forget any appliances you were using beforehand, like the iron, either. If you do, this could end in disaster - especially if you have kids.
Head To A Safe Room
Go to a safe room in the house where the temperature can remain the same, or one where you can stay as warm as possible. Try to prepare this room beforehand and make sure everybody knows that it’s the safe room.
Keep Your Family Safe
Families with at-risk members should know of multiple climate controlled safe spaces where they can wait for power restoration. It’s also wise to avoid running extension cords from your neighbor’s home (if they still have power) as this could be a fire hazard and cause so much more trouble. Waiting it out could be the best course of action.
Power cuts in 2020 aren't something we tend to need to deal with very often. However, they do happen, and in those instances you want to make sure you’re prepared. This will give you peace of mind and you’ll be able to care for your family.