How to Prepare Your Home for Power Outages

If you have moved to an area with an aging power grid, chances are that you will often have to deal with power outages. Power outages can cause tremendous loss and damage, and sometimes it is impossible to predict the severity of the loss. In this post we are going to provide some tips that will help you prepare your home for power outages.

Put together an emergency kit

When everything is enveloped in darkness, it can be very annoying to scramble for supplies. When you cannot see anything shuffling through closets or reaching into drawers may not be safe. That is why you should have an emergency kit ready before a power outage hits. A duffel bag or a plastic storage box can be a good option.

The kit should be placed in a location that can be easily accessed. It will help you save a lot of time. To avoid stairs in the dark, put the kit on the main level of your house. Make sure all the members of your house know where the kit is.

Have some flashlights ready

Before a power outage hits, make sure you have access to some flashlights and batteries. These lights will be useful throughout the year, not just during emergencies. When everything is enveloped in darkness, you will be badly in need of some flashlights.

In the dark, flashlights will instantly make everyone safe and calm. Buy some flashlight even if the power outage is supposed to last just for a couple of days. Although a flashlight will provide a small amount of light, it will give you some sense of security. It will also make it easier for you to find things easily in the darkness.

Purchase a food thermometer

Purchase a food thermometer if you do not already have one in your kitchen. During an emergency, this device can be very helpful. During a power outage, do not frequently go into your freeze. Your food will be safe if the load shedding lasts for just a short span of time. So when the emergency ends, you can eat the food stored in your refrigerator.

What is a food thermometer used for? During an outage, a food thermometer can be used to check the internal temperature of food items. It helps you know whether your food is still safe.

Store some non-perishable food

Take the forecasts seriously and buy some non-perishable foods before the shelves of the stores are empty. Apart from that, make sure your supply of bottled water is enough. One person will need about one gallon of water per day.

When buying non-perishable foods, buy food items that you really like. Do not end up buying something that you will end up wasting. Dried fruit and cereals are good options. Store the emergency foods in an area in your home where you can easily reach.

Buy a portable generator

Buying a portable generator (If you already do not have one) is one of the most important parts of the process of preparation. If you are living in an area with frequent power outages, a portable generator can make your life a lot easier. During a power outage, this generator will keep your electronic gadgets running.

Portable generators come in a variety of models, and the prices vary wildly. However, even if you do not have a good budget, you can buy a quiet, light and efficient generator

Above all, you have to be mentally prepared for a power outage. Talk to your family members and try to keep their spirits high when everything is enveloped in darkness.