Originally posted on March 29, 2023 @ 1:01 pm
Electricity is indeed a blessing! And there is no denying the fact that power outages can be a real nuisance. They can happen anytime and can last for a few hours or even several days. From shorter outages to widespread grid failures, every state in America can experience power outages. According to Time Magazine, more and more prolonged power outages are expected to occur in the USA because of several reasons.
Power outages do not only interrupt your activities, but dozens of things can go wrong if you are not careful about the safety of your house. Thus, you should stay prepared and prioritize your family’s safety instead of waiting for the electricity to be restored.
Reasons for Power Outages
Power outages occur due to several reasons, and it is significant for you to understand some of the common reasons for outages.
- When the power lines get overloaded with electricity, the grid becomes vulnerable and damages the infrastructure.
- The poor infrastructure of the electric grid results in power outages.
- Several natural causes, such as floods, earthquakes, thunderstorms, and so on, damage the power grid.
7 Ways to Keep Your Home Safe during Power Outages
If you live in an area that experiences heavy snowfalls in winter or heavy rains during summer, then you must stay prepared when the lights go out. As power outages can distract you and might add unnecessary stress. However, by following the tips listed below, you can keep your belongings and house safe.
Keep Your Disaster Kit Ready
Since power outages are quite common, it is significant for you to stay prepared. So, always keep a disaster kit ready, so you can keep your loved ones safe during emergencies. Your disaster kit will ensure you have everything needed to keep your family safe. Always ensure that you have flashlights in a memorable location, so you don’t struggle to find them during outages. In addition, always keep additional batteries, a first aid kit, medicines, and several other emergency stuff. Also, ensure to keep extra food for your pets as well.
Take Care of Your Electronics
We are living in a technological world and have plenty of appliances at home. Therefore, it is mandatory to look after them to prevent damage. And always ensure that you turn them off when the voltage drops or the power goes out. You might think this is irrelevant, but keep in mind that when electricity is restored, the voltage usually drops, which can affect your devices. Therefore, it is best to turn off every device.
Create a Go-To Bag
It is significant for you to create your go-bag, in case you have to evacuate your house during emergencies. In your go-to bag, you must keep what is most vital, and this depends on the unique needs of your family members. For instance, keep your mandatory documents, medical supplies, driver’s license, and so on.
Upgrade Your Security Systems
During blackouts, nothing is more important than the safety of your loved ones. And please know that criminals take advantage of the power outages and break-in into your house for crimes. So, a power failure can be a real bummer, especially if you have an electric-powered alarm system. Therefore, it is also mandatory to install a security system that functions during blackouts. You can choose the ADT security alarm because, in case of power loss, the backup battery can continue to operate for hours. If the battery gets low, then the signals are sent to its Custom Monitoring Center. In addition, if you hold the panic button of the devices, an alarm is transmitted to its center, so the emergency services are dispatched immediately.
Keep Backup Resources Ready
- Purchase a Generator
Many homeowners worry about burglaries during power outages, especially when the lights are out. Therefore, it is crucial to have a backup resource, so your house is safe from different types of burglaries.
One of the important things you can do is to protect your home by purchasing a generator. You should consider purchasing a generator to keep all your devices. But remember that it runs on fuel, so you must also stock fuel. Since it can supplement power, you can easily use your electric appliances. This way, your security alarm and video surveillance cameras will continue to work even if the power goes out. However, avoid connecting heavy appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, and so on because they need steady electricity to function.
- Purchase UPS
This backup battery supplies power to your connected electronic appliances in the event of power outages. So, during a power outage, you can use your devices and even the internet, so you stay connected to your friends.
- Purchase a Portable Power Station
The power station units can be pre-charged electrically or through solar energy. And it can be a good investment because they can be electrically charged or through solar energy. Thus, look for a portable power station, so you can charge your home devices.
Protect Your Water Supply
During power outages, some water purification systems might not function. Therefore, you need to ensure there is enough water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene. So, as soon as the electricity goes out, you need to ensure that you save enough water.
Stock Your Food Supply
Since you have no idea when the power will get restored, you must stock your food items. And if the power supply is affected due to harsh weather, then it can take days for the electricity to get restored. Hence, you must stock up on food for a few days and keep basic items such as canned vegetables, snacks, and so on.
In Brief
As annoying as power outages can be, it is significant for you to be prepared for them. During outages, you should keep your stash of flashlights and batteries in a convenient spot. Also, ensure that you have alternative security cameras and motion sensors to keep your house safe. In stressful situations like these, you should not panic and try to use the above-listed tips to ensure your loved ones remain safe.
