{"id":489,"date":"2024-04-06T23:34:49","date_gmt":"2024-04-06T23:34:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beupp.com\/?p=489"},"modified":"2024-04-06T23:34:49","modified_gmt":"2024-04-06T23:34:49","slug":"power-outage-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beupp.com\/generator\/power-outage-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Prepare For Power Outage (Safety Tips)"},"content":{"rendered":"
It can happen for a variety of reasons: A powerful storm, or too much snow, perhaps. Even a squirrel can cause days-long power outages.<\/p>\n
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You never know when the power\u2019s going to go out. But when it does, you\u2019re going to wish you were more prepared. To avoid uncomfortable \u2014 or even dangerous \u2014 situations during a power outage, your best defense is good preparation.<\/p>\n
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Imagine what it would be like to actually be in the middle of a power outage. What would you eat? How would you keep the kids entertained? How would you keep perishable food cool?<\/p>\n
These are the questions you should be able to answer before <\/em>the power goes out. Be sure to write down all the cellphone numbers of your family members and have a spare communication method in case your smartphones die, such as with a flip phone that accepts a SIM card.<\/p>\n Divide tasks between you and your family members, such as who will gather flashlights, who will start up the generator, who will pull perishable food out of the fridge to prepare for the next meal, etc. Be sure to create a plan in case the power outage lasts for a week or more.<\/p>\n Some power outages last for a few hours. Others last for days, meaning everyone in your city will scramble to the grocery store to buy food, water, batteries, and other necessities.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t want to be caught in the storm-rush, or worse \u2014 find necessary supplies gone in the middle of it. When you go grocery shopping now, while there\u2019s still power on the grid, buy an extra item that could go to your power outage supplies, such as one pack of batteries or a can of food. Maintain those edibles that do not require refrigeration.<\/p>\n If you live in an area vulnerable to hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, you\u2019ll find it most time-effective to buy all power outage supplies during one weekend to get it over with.<\/p>\n No matter when you decide to buy supplies, be sure you have enough of them in case the power were to go out tomorrow.<\/p>\n Some necessary supply kit to buy include:<\/p>\n Microwaves, ovens, and stovetops will be out of the equation. You\u2019ll have to learn how to start a fire outdoors or in your fireplace if you want hot food. Stock up on fuel and wood to burn outdoors, or cooking fuel for indoor use if the outdoors are too wet for a fire.<\/p>\n Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or that has an unusual odor, color or texture.<\/p>\n According to the Red Cross<\/a>, a refrigerator and freezer can keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep cold for 48 hours, and a half-full freezer is chilly for 24 hours.<\/p>\n Be sure to eat whatever food is in the fridge first, making sure to keep the refrigerator<\/a> and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Then move onto the freezer, going through items until the fridge is empty.<\/p>\n Use a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so that you can know the temperature when the power is restored in the power lines.<\/p>\n Sandwiches are easy meals to sustain a family during a power outage. Bread stores perfectly well in a freezer, and it can be pulled out whenever an emergency arises (though make sure to change out your bread every few months). Then, use peanut butter or tuna to feed your family high-calorie meals which will work as emergency supplies.<\/p>\n Once the perishables are gone, move onto your non-perishable stock. Be sure to get variety in the foods so that it\u2019s not all beans and corn to ensure no one gets a vitamin deficiency.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A high-quality standby generator allows you to avoid disrupting your quality of life during power outages. Once you flip the generator on, you can get electricity running back to your house and resume operations like normal.<\/p>\n While worth it to maintain maximum energy input during a power outage, standby generators are expensive and might not be the most affordable for middle-class families.<\/p>\n2. Stock Up<\/h3>\n
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3. Eat Strategically<\/h3>\n
4. Get a Generator<\/h3>\n