| Power Outage... This is one of the most commom emergenices that occur. Sometimes a power outage can last a few minutes and sometime an hour or more, but best if you are prepared. Power outages can be caused by storms or accidents in which power lines get knocked down. Everyone is prone to a power outage. This is why it is so important to be aware of power outages and know what to do during them.
Before the Power Goes Out
Make sure you have an emergency light source in all major rooms in your house such as the kitchen, hallways, living room, and bedrooms. I think it is also a great idea to make sure that you have one phone in the house plugged in that is not cordless or reliant upon electricity, this will give you the ability to report the outage, check to see if neighbors are having the same problems, and to call the authorities in the event of a more serious emergency such as an injury. Are there other things you can think of that would be wise to have on hand and in a specific spot? Lets discuss this on the general boards. We will work together to make a great supplies list, an ideal container, and a place to store it. Hope to see you there. We will work on this for a few days. Candles come in all varieties and sizes. You probably will not want to put a candle in a young child's room unless it is out of his reach. You can keep emergency candles or liquid paraffin candles in a drawer for when you need them. Keep the matches out of the reach of your small children, but always know where they are.
Prepare your small children beforehand so they are not scared when they are caught in the dark. Show them where they can find a flashlight. Make sure they know that you will be there to comfort them if they are scared.
What To Do Check List: | 1. | Check to see if your neighbors have power. If you are the only home without electricity, check the fuse box to see if the main circuit breaker has been tripped or if a fuse has blown. If your neighbors do not have electricity, then you know there has been a power outage in your area. | | 2. | Report your power outage to your local utility company so it knows which area has been downed, especially in a storm. Only call once. You probably won't be the only person calling from your area. | | 3. | Unplug sensitive electronic equipment such as your television, VCR, microwave, and personal computer. This will reduce the chance of damage caused by electrical surges. | | 4. | Open the window shades to allow more light to come in. | | 5. | Turn off all major non-essential appliances such as your stove and washer/dryer. Turn off the majority of your light switches, but leave a few on so you know when the power has been restored. This reduces the electrical demand once the power has been restored. | | 6. | Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed to conserve the cold inside. You don't know how long the power will be out and you don't want your food to spoil. | |
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