10 Things To Do Before The Power Goes Out

11/14/2019 (Permalink)

A great tip is to keep flashlights and fresh batteries in a safe and consistent location.

We all listen to the weather and MOST of the time have a pretty good idea when there is a storm brewing that will likely cause some inconveniences in our day to day life.  We hope you find some good tips for you and your family on this list to help make time without power a little less scary and a little more relaxing.

• When the Lights go down...

When the lights flicker my first thought is, “where did I put that flashlight?” One of the first thoughts most of us have are either the flashlights or batteries. Be sure to have a constant safe place for your flashlights and fresh batteries. 

• Baby It’s Cold Inside

Heat is going to be very important if the power is out for an extended period of time. There are options such as small propane heaters but these are not safe to use for the long term. The best option would be to use a space heater connected to a generator. If you have natural gas, be sure to have a full tank in case of an extended outage. If all else fails, have plenty of blankets and warm clothing. Layering clothing is a must to keep out the cold. 

• Filler Up

It’s important to keep your gas tank full as well. If you need to get to a family member, friend, or have an emergency, it’s important to be prepared. It’s possible in the case of a power outage for an extended time frame, gas stations may be closed or out of fuel. 

• Liquid Gold - WATER

Water is an essential part of our day. Most cities and counties have back systems for power outages but if one should fail, or a pipe freezes in your home, you do not want to be without water. Preparing for a scenario where you cannot get water from a faucet is the best way to be prepared. You can fill your bathtub with water to use in a variety of ways such as flushing the toilet, cleaning up, boiling and using for cooking. It’s a good idea to keep bottled water on hand as well as large containers filled with water.

• Ring the Dinner Bell - Food

Most of us prepare for meals in the short term, one day to a week in advance. It’s vital to keep a variety of non-perishable food in your pantry that doesn’t require a lot of cooking. Foods that you can open and eat are great to have on hand such as granola/protein bars, nuts, jerky, and peanut butter. 

These are great to have, however, if you are enduring a long term power outage it will be nice to have some hot food. Stocking up on canned soups, stews, chilis, and veggies is a great idea when you get tired of the “eat and go” convenience foods.

• Dinner is Served - Cooking

If you have a gas stove, you probably won’t be too bothered or inconvenienced. There are some alternatives to the electric stove such as your charcoal or propane grill. Also using a camp stove or propane burner is a quick easy way to warm up those meals in a can. Be sure to use these cooking devices in a safe location.

• Communication is Key

When you hear of a possible storm, one easy way to keep the lines of communication open with your loved ones is to charge your cell phones and laptops prior to the storm hitting. This hopefully allows you to plan and organize any evacuation plans or plans to bring your loved ones together to ride out the storm together. This also allows you to stay informed as to what is happening outside your home. 

• Medication 

Keeping a two week supply of medication can be a lifesaving tip for those who either cannot get out or in an extended power outage, the pharmacy may be closed. This particular tip is fairly easy for most of us to adhere to on a regular basis. Participating in a mail-order prescription plan is a great way to prepare, they are normally mailed in 3-month supplies. 

• Clean Clean Clean

Here at SERVPRO, we are experts in this field. Making sure you have all your housework done, prior to a storm is a great way to conserve water while it may not be as readily available. Making sure your dishes and clothes are washed allows you to concentrate on other priorities that may be more important to you.

• Have a Little Fun

Following these few tips in a storm situation can lead you to some much needed downtime with your family and loved ones. Be sure to plan for some “unplugged” fun with board games and books. Make this a time to enjoy your family and be creative to make this experience a great memory for the whole family.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield, Sangamon, Morgan, Cass, and Montgomery Counties is always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.