Most of us are pretty lucky in the USA in 2022 that blackouts are not such a common problem anymore. However, they can and do still happen from time to time, whether due to storm damage, faulty wiring, or an issue with the power company.
That’s why it is never a bad idea to have a plan of what you will do to survive a blackout in your home should you ever need to. By having a plan in advance, you will not need to panic, and you can keep your family safe and happy until the lights (and everything else) comes back on again.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some tips for surviving a blackout at home:
Be prepared
It will be easier to get through a blackout if you have prepared in advance with supplies like candles, matches, torches, batteries, and maybe some backup propane for fuel. And of course, a generator. Having some physical books and board games or crafting materials to keep you entertained is a pretty useful idea too.
Get used to unplugging things
If a power surge happens and the power goes out, anything that is plugged in could be affected by the surge and stop working completely, even when the power comes back on, which is why it is a good idea to unplug things when not in use all of the time, but especially immediately after a surge has occurred (leave one bulb on so you will know when the power comes back on). You might also want to fit surge protestors to your sockets, to help save your electronics should a power surge occur.
Install a carbon monoxide detector
When the power goes out, you might switch to using other forms of power like a generator or grill. If so, you should not let these run inside your home due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, but it is also a good idea to install a carbon monoxide detector just in case. Carbon monoxide can make you sick and even kill you very quickly, so it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Fill up the tub
It is not always the case, but quite often, you will find that, when the power goes out, the water source will stop functioning soon after due to problems with the municipal supply. By filling up the tub, and any other containers you can find, as soon as this happens, you can ensure that you have access to fresh water when you need it. It might be a good idea to boil it before consuming first if it is not usually a drinkable source though.
Use the car to charge
If you desperately need your phone to contact family or your laptop to work, for example, then charge it while you’re running your car. A cigarette lighter attachment will work in most cars for most devices so you don’t have to go without your tech for too long.
Surviving a blackout is not so tough when you are ready for it and you stay calm!