As we move into autumn and winter, power outages will likely become a more common occurrence due to severe weather conditions. While some homes are more likely to experience prolonged outages than others, it is crucial for every homeowner to ensure that they are sufficiently prepared for an outage. As a leading provider of complete residential electrical services, the team at Blue Crest Electric knows how detrimental an extended power outage can be without sufficient preparation. That is why we have provided a list of 3 steps to prepare for a power outage to give you the information you need to keep you and your family safe and comfortable.
How to Ensure You are Prepared for a Power Outage
To ensure that you, your family, and your home are prepared for a short or prolonged power outage, you will need to complete the following actions:
1. Create Your Emergency Plan
Proper planning is crucial for effective power outage response. Set aside some time to write an outage plan down, review it with every member of your home, and post it somewhere accessible for everyone to review. To ensure that your plan covers all aspects of your home, consider:
The cause of the power outage (weather, transformer explosion, etc.).
Where your home is located (in a busy neighbourhood or a remote area).
The age and medical conditions of everyone within the home.
The methods of heating your home and alternative methods to stay warm.
If your building has a dedicated emergency plan.
2. Build a Power Outage Emergency Kit
An emergency kit should be prepared and on hand for any crisis, including power outages. Your emergency kit should include the following items for a large power outage:
Flashlights and/or lanterns.
Extra batteries for your devices.
Bottled water.
Non-perishable food.
First aid supplies.
A battery-powered radio.
Cell phone battery pack.
Blankets.
Cards, board games, or books.
In addition to keeping your kit stocked, periodic testing and inspections should be performed on the contents to ensure that everything is in good working order.
3. Prepare Your House
While it is important to ensure that you and your family are prepared for an outage, it is equally important to prepare your home. To protect your devices from power outages and power surges, install quality surge protectors in key areas. This will help protect your devices from a power overload which can damage their battery or other components when power is restored. In addition to surge protectors, place flashlights in accessible places around the home to ensure they are easy to find in the dark. If a power outage occurs, ensure that you keep your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep food cold. If it is cold outside, ensure that all windows are closed to keep as much heat in your home as possible.
To learn more about power outage safety and preparation or to inquire about our electrical services, get in touch with the team at Blue Crest Electric. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our services.
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