Power outages are unpredictable. And after recently watching blackouts occur all across the country, being prepared is something we at Speck Family Electric want all our Tennessee homeowners to be. Here are a few steps you can take towards power outage preparedness.
Candles are great to keep on hand in case of power outages. Don’t forget matches!
Prepare an Emergency Kit
Whether the power outage lasts only a short while or remains for a few days, the last thing you want is to be scrambling for supplies.
While the power is on, put together everything you need in a plastic storage box. It should include several sources of light, like flashlights, batteries, candles, and matches. Another good thing to keep in your kit is a battery-operated radio. This way, in an extended blackout, you’ll be able to get news updates without having to drain the battery on your phone. Your kit should also include multi-tools, blankets, first aid kits, and a few fully charged battery banks to charge phones and other small electronic devices.
Prepare Food & Water
Stocking up on food and water is a smart move, especially because power outages are so unpredictable. Food may not be top-of-mind, but your future self will thank you for your power outage preparedness if you take care of it now.
First and foremost, make sure you have plenty of water on hand. While water will still run out your tap, the power outage may make water purification systems fail. A good rule to follow is to have about one gallon of bottled water per person, per day. Staying hydrated is important as it will keep you alert and feeling good.
As with water, you should have a good supply of food as well. Non-perishables have a long shelf life, so they’ll be ready to go whenever a power outage happens. Non-perishable foods include beans, canned meat or fish, canned vegetables, canned soups, boxed cereal, boxed cookies, dried fruit, nuts, and some candy bars. There’s also no need to worry about the food in your fridge or freezer spoiling right away, but if the blackout sticks around for a few days, having a food thermometer can be handy. It can be used to check the internal temperature of the food to ensure that it is still safe to eat.
Plan Activities
Let’s be real, power outages can be stressful and scary. But that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t have fun. Your first concern during a power outage should be everyone’s safety. Once that’s secured, keeping you and your family occupied and calm should be the next concern.
Along with your emergency kit, prepare some simple, fun activities to pass the time. This could include board games, puzzles, magazines, books, coloring pages, art supplies, or craft kits. Having something to distract from the power outage will make everyone feel safer and make time go by faster.
With a whole house generator, you’ll be good to go even if the power goes out.
Install a Whole House Generator
The best step for power outage preparedness? Installing a whole house generator. When the power goes out, you won’t have to worry about when it’ll come back. The generator will detect when there’s a disruption in the electrical supply and will begin generating electricity. By relying on a generator, your home will have the electricity restored and keep it running until the power returns.
Whole house generators are an investment, but it’s worth knowing you’re constantly prepared in case the power goes out. If you’re considering getting one, our Speck Family Electric electricians would be more than happy to install it for you.
Speck Family Electric Keeps You Safe
At Speck Family Electric, we want all our customers to be safe and secure during a power outage. Whether you install a whole house generator or not, we hope these tips keep you prepared! We’re always here to help our beloved Tennessee homeowners.
We service those in Sparta, Chattanooga, Cookeville, Crossville, Gallatin, Lebanon, McMinnville, Mount Juliet, Murfreesboro, and Smithville.
