Surviving Power Outages

Power outages can occur at anytime but are more frequent during summer and winter months when power is most needed. Today there were power outages in Manhattan and the Bronx. This power outage affected subway lines, traffic signals, and even a courthouse. The temperatures in New York went over 90 degrees Fahrenheit today. They are restoring power as I write this blog and is seen as being a big incovenience. But, power outages can last for several days in which this would become more of just an inconvenience; it would become a survival situation. Are you prepared to handle a situation like this?

During power outages, it can be hard to get a hold of family members because not only regular telephone service but even cellular phone service can be disrupted. Even if the phones are working, you could run into the problem of the phone lines being jammed. Families should come up with a contingency plan on where to meet up or get a hold of each other in such an event as a blackout. Make sure to account for weekdays versus weekends and holidays.

Since most gas stations need power to operate, you will find out that you won't be able to get gas during an outage. This is one reason that you should always keep your tank full. During an outage you will want to keep driving to a minimal unless you are planning on leaving the affected area. Don't try to leave the affected area unless you have more than twice the needed gas to actually do so. You will most likely find out that other people are having the same idea and the traffic will be worse than can be imagined.

If you are at home when the power outage occurs, fill up as many containers that you can with water. Fill your bathtub full of water if you can. Water is going to be very important in an extended power outage situation. You will need water to consume and wash with. During winter months, make sure you don't have large ice blocks in your tub.

During summer months, you want to keep the contents in your refridgerator and freezer cold as long as possible. Try not to open the doors to your fridge unless you have to. If possible, place bowls of ice cubes in your fridge when the power outage hits. Also, keep your house as cool as possible by closing curtains and blinds.

During winter months, you may want to transfer the contents of your fridge to a garage or a place outside where it's colder. Just make sure to put the contents in a place where animals will not get to them.

Before there is a power outage, there are things you can do in advance to help prepare yourself in case you do find yourself in such as situation. Purchasing a backup power generator can alleviate most of the problems that depend on electricity, such as your fridge and AC. When choosing a power generator, calculate the wattage you will need in a blackout scenario. It is possible to hook up a power generator directly to your home using a transfer switch.

Other things to have on hand before such an event is plenty of batteries for your flashlights, radios, and other emergency equipment. Radios with a hand crank can also come in handy since they don't have to rely on batteries. Walkie-talkies can be used to keep in communication during such events.

Some people get bored without having a TV or computer during such events. Having board games, cards, dominoes, or other non-technological activities around will help break boredom and actually connect families together that TV could never do.

People have lived without electricity for thousands of years. In case of an extended power outages, you will still be able to survive. Just stayed prepared to ease the effects of blackout.