Power outages happen even in the summer. This weeks challenge: How many days could you stay in your home without power? What’s your reasoning?

 

Power outages are a common outcome of severe weather and enduring a prolonged outage will take some preparations.

Things to consider:

• Prepare if you have special needs people in the household that depend on electricity by contacting your provider and make sure you are on their Life Sustaining Equipment list.
• Have supplies on hand so you can cook without power.
• Have simple to prepare foods so you can eat reasonably healthy.
• Have enough water stored for at least 72 hours.
• Flashlights and extra batteries are stored in an easy to reach place.
• Have a way to keep your family entertained. Have games, cards and books set aside in an emergency entertainment kit.

Food safety recommendations from Red Cross

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. First use perishable food from the refrigerator. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about 4 hours.
• Then use food from the freezer. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
• Use your non-perishable foods and staples after using food from the refrigerator and freezer.
• If it looks like the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items.
• Keep food in a dry, cool spot and keep it covered at all times.

Electrical Equipment During a Power Outage

• Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.
• Turn off or disconnect any appliances (like stoves), equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.
• Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power comes back on.
• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will be congested.
• Read more about using generators safely.

Tell us your plan – post “the number of days you could stay at home without power” in the comments below.

Thanks for joining us for the Be Prepared Summer Challenge – Just do one more thing to be prepared.

Other challenges:

Week 1 – Fire Escape Plan
Week 2 – Power Outage
Week 3 – Shelter in Place
Week 4 – Evacuate Your Home
Week 5 – Situational Awareness
Week 6 – Neighborhood Ready
Week 7 – Pets in Disasters
Week 8 – Vital Documents
Week 9 – Utility Shut-off
Week 10 – Top 5 Disaster Supplies
Week 11 – Emergency Alerts
Week 12 – First Aid
Week 13 – Day of Service