Save Yourself NOW for the Next Power Outage!

Save Yourself NOW for the Next Power Outage

My sister, whose husband is an electrician, has been inundated with emergency phone calls from people who are without electricity, as is most of the state.  Her general politeness has given way to anger because the calls are coming from people who bought generators after the debacle of Hurricane Irene, but didn’t get them connected because it was too expensive at the time (this is after calling her husband over to give them estimates for the work).  Now they are in the same predicament, willing to pay anything, but money can’t buy time and there only so many jobs that one person can do.

Although many people are without power, it is not too early to learn from experience and save yourself now for the next power outage.

Here are a few things you can do to prepare for emergencies in case the next power outage occurs.

• If you have a generator or are thinking about getting one, get your generator hooked up before it is too late again.
• Consider an alternative heat source.  If you don’t have a fireplace, think about getting a gas fireplace that can generate some heat.  Even if it only heats one room, people will be able to last through the cold longer.
• Store large containers of water.  They won’t go bad and you won’t be storming the stores in search of water when the time comes.
• Prepare an emergency box with matches, wind-up flashlights, regular flashlights, and batteries.  Candles are a poor choice and can cause fires.  Keep the box where you can find it in the dark.
• Stock up on propane canisters for a camping stove. You will be able to prepare food, boil water, etc.
• Check the tires on your car and replace them if necessary.
• Get your snow blower tuned up early in the season and buy gas for it.
• Get a car charger for your phone so you can have communication.
• Buy a roof rake now (remember last winter).

October 29 was too early for many of us to be prepared, but we MUST be better prepared for the next one.  Don’t get lulled into thinking that you are safe for a while.  Disaster will strike again.  Save yourself NOW for the next power outage!