Hurricanes have always been associated with power outages. The sheets of rain and powerful winds can take a ferocious toll on electricity infrastructure. While most people already know this, it’s only when it happens to you that the far-reaching repercussions of power loss become evident.
When Hurricane Irma struck, it led to one of the largest natural disaster-caused blackouts in US history. Unless you purchase or rent a generator you have no control over the infrastructure that delivers power to your home, but there are ways you can make a power outage more bearable. Here’s how.
- Flashlights
Place flashlights at multiple, easily reachable locations in your home. Have plenty of new, spare batteries as well. The flashlights you buy don’t have to all be of the same type and power. The purpose of having the flashlights in different locations is to help you get your bearings immediately the outage occurs and ensure you have a backup in the event one or more flashlights is damaged due to the storm.
You can have five or six small flashlights and one or two large ones. - Emergency Candles
Flashlights are a backup light source. Since the power outages caused by hurricanes may last for an unpredictable period, you need an additional light source just in case. Stock up on candles, matches and a candle lantern. A propane lantern or oil lamp would also serve the purpose.
Make sure you have a butane wand or at least a couple of the longer, fireplace-type matches that you can use to light fires in your fireplace.
- Fill Your Freezer
The fuller your freezer is, the longer it will keep food cold after the power goes out. Ergo, pack the empty spaces of your freezer with containers full of water. The frozen water gets rid of the air pockets that would otherwise warm up much faster. If you do not have enough containers, you can repurpose empty milk cartons in this manner. - Open Refrigerators Only When Necessary
One the power goes off, an unopened freezer keeps food frozen for about 24 hours while an unopened refrigerator does the same for approximately 4 hours. Both will last even longer if they are kept in a cool space such as the garage. Beyond this 4 or 48 hour window, any food whose temperature exceeds 40 hours must be thrown in the trash for health reasons. - Unplug Equipment
Unplug televisions, audio equipment, computers, printers and all other sensitive equipment. When the power supply is eventually restored, there may be an initial spike that can ruin delicate electronics. Plugging these devices to a surge protector does help but it is best to err on the side of caution by unplugging them from the wall completely. - Watch Out for Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by exposure to the odorless fumes produced by power generators, camping stoves or charcoal grills in enclosed spaces. Never burn charcoal or use propane or gasoline powered equipment indoors. Not even your porch or garage is safe enough. All such combustion should take place when you’re outdoors. - Acquire a Portable Generator
If you can afford it, buy a generator. Test it monthly just to make sure it has not experienced any major mechanical problems. Always have with you the contacts of a reputable power generator maintenance that you can call anytime the generator needs repair. Remember to store up adequate fuel to run the generator for a week.
The generator does not have to run full time though. Your refrigerator, for instance, will do just fine without being powered overnight since its doors won’t be opened and closed repeatedly.
One of the worst things about large-scale natural disasters such as hurricanes is that the people meant to fix a power outage are not only spread thin but may have difficulty accessing the infrastructure in need of repair. Knowing how to stay as comfortable as possible before supply is restored is vital for your own and your loved ones’ peace of mind.
