Losing power can be a headache for homeowners, especially since many outages come suddenly. If you fail to prepare for a power outage, you could be left searching in the dark for what you need. Here are some of our best tips to prepare your home and family for blackouts.
Gather Flashlights and Batteries to Prepare for a Power Outage
One of the best ways to prepare for a power outage is to have a flashlight, headlamp, or lantern for each person in your household. Keep enough spare batteries for each device to power it for 48-72 hours of operation.
Make sure that all of your family members know where to find flashlights in the event of a power outage. If you lose power often, keeping one in each room is a great idea.
Plan Ahead for Medication
Many people use medical devices that use electricity, like CPAP machines and stairlifts. Without electricity, it can be very dangerous to be without power for an extended period.
To prepare for a power outage, speak with your doctor about what you should do if you lose power and cannot use your medical devices normally. For some things, like insulin or medication that needs to be refrigerated, a simple solution like a cooler will be invaluable.
Use a Food Thermometer for Food Safety
When you prepare for a power outage, you should think about food safety after the power outage. Food that sits in the freezer and refrigerator will eventually thaw and spoil. Without a food thermometer, you won’t know whether or not it’s still safe to eat.
When the power comes back on, open the fridge and use the thermometer to determine what food is still safe to eat.
Prepare for a Power Outage With the Whole Family
The moment your electricity turns off, everyone in your house needs to know what the plan is. What room will everyone gather in? Who will be responsible for bringing pets to the designated space? Where are the flashlights and headlamps located? Having a plan can prevent injuries and chaos.
Store Water and Non-Perishable Food
Because you want to minimize how often you open the refrigerator during your power outage, it’s a good idea to have non-perishable food stored in your basement or another cool, dry place. Next time you’re at the grocery store, stock up on:
- Canned fruit, vegetables, and tuna
- Protein bars or protein shakes that can be made with water
- Dry cereal
- Peanut butter
- Nuts
In addition to non-perishable food, have one gallon of water per person per day for at least a seven-day period.
Aarrow Home Inspections offers home inspections to the Triangle Area of North Carolina. Contact us to schedule our services.