What Do You Do When the Power Goes Out? ~ Are You Prepared?
I was out most of this hot 90-degree day today; and while driving back to my home office in the late afternoon, I noticed the ominous looking sky. I thought it looked ripe for some thunderstorm activity. I was right.
As soon as I got back to my computer, I could hear some boomers approaching and even saw some streaks of lightning in the distance.
Thought I had just a few more minutes to finish up some email before I shut down my system but I was wrong. BOOM. CRACK!! I shrieked and the power went out simultaneously. Ugh.
I fumbled under my desk to shut my power strip off and then looked around. Only problem is I could barely see anything. It was about 5:10 pm and it was like midnight. DARK……also wet and LOUD!
I found my way to the drawer where we keep the flashlights, and ah…I found the BIG one! Turned it on and ……nothing. Oh…..s#@t. Found another and it was a little weak.
However, I knew I had a few lanterns. I made my way to the closet and with no light found one. These things are great. Battery operated. I bought them in Wal-Mart in the camping department for I think under $10 and they shed a pretty good light. It felt pretty good to turn that switch and have the room light up! Even my dog looked relieved!
Then I found my cell phone. I have a contact for my utility company to report power outages, and I couldn’t believe it! I was the first one to report the outage. Don’t always think someone else will do it, or ‘they know about it’. Well, at that particular moment, ‘they’ didn’t know!
Anyway, the purpose of this long story is to remind you to prepare for power outages ahead of time. There’s a lot you can do to prepare, but I’ll just give you some simple reminders.
- Keep the number of your utility company in your phone contacts and call as soon as your power goes out. In CT, if you are a United Illuminating customer, you can call 800-7-CALL-UI (800-722-5584)
- Check your flashlights frequently to be sure the batteries are still good.
- Keep candles in a convenient place with some matches or a gas lighter nearby
- Pick up a few of the lanterns I mentioned. Here is a picture of what mine looks like. It takes 4 D-batteries.
- Turn off electronics that were on when the power went out to prevent a spike when the power returns. All your electronics should be plugged into a power strip/surge protector. I turn the power strips off as well.
- Take out your battery-operated radio for checking the local weather.
- Always keep a supply of water bottles and dry food on hand.
- Be sure you know how to open your garage door if you have an electric garage door opener and have to leave.
- If you do have to leave, be aware there could be downed wires which you must always assume as dangerous.
- Keep the refrigerator CLOSED in the warm weather. A closed refrigerator will keep food safe for about four hours. A closed freezer should maintain good food quality for about 48 hours if full, 24 hours if half full.
Hopefully, if you’re faced with a no-power situation, it will be restored quickly. This one lasted almost three hours. These tips and a little patience will get you through a similar short power outage.
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