Having your home without electricity can become overwhelming, especially if you have kids. There are a few things you should make sure you have prepared in case of a situation like this.
Make sure you’ve checked these 4 essential tips for when there is a power outage in your home or area.
1. Light
There are many ways to provide lighting in your home, from candles to generators. Just like your food, you should have a storage container to keep these items for emergencies. Store flashlights, candles, lanterns, solar lights, batteries, and matches.
If these items aren’t enough for your home, consider investing in a generator. Depending on the generator’s size, it can provide electricity for your entire home – but that doesn’t mean you should keep all your usual appliances running when you’re on emergency power, as that means more gas is needed. Limit your use only to your home’s lights, fridges, and essential appliances.
When shopping for a generator, always shop locally. For example, if you live in Toronto, check out Toronto’s #1 generator installer.
2. Food
With no electricity running through your refrigerator, food can go bad if the power isn’t reinstated soon. A refrigerator can keep food cold for about four hours. You can purchase ice to keep your fridge cold a little longer, but you should avoid opening the door where possible to keep the cold from exiting.
Your cooking appliances won’t work either, so it’s best to stock up on canned goods, ready-to-eat meat, and other groceries that don’t have to be refrigerated or cooked. For example, water, bread, peanut butter, tuna, cereal, fruit, dried fruit, pop tarts, granola bars, canned juices, etc. If you don’t already, be sure to have a can opener.
Some canned goods last years, which makes it easy to store away ahead of time. You should have a designated box or boxes to store these food items and label them “for emergencies.”
You can use candle warmers, fondue pots, charcoal grills, or a fireplace to heat meals. You can heat the cans themselves, just be sure to take the label off and thoroughly clean the can.
3. Emergency Kit
This is something that you should already have in your home. If you don’t, you should make sure you have items that are not only necessary when hurt but necessary for your daily well-being.
Are you on any medication? Do you wear glasses or contacts? Do you have children? You’ll want to keep items like glasses, solutions, medications, formula, wipes, gloves, diapers, bandaids, thermometers, creams, vitamins, masks, hand sanitizers, and more.
The American Red Cross also suggests including these items in your kit:
- Absorbent compress dressings
- Adhesive cloth tape
- Antibiotic ointment packets
- Breathing barrier
- Instant cold compress
- Gauze roll bandage
- Sterile gauze pads
- Tweezers
- Emergency First Aid instructions
4. Fill Up Your Bathtub
If your water comes from a well, your pump won’t be working during the power outage. You will be using lots of water and should save your bottled water for cooking or drinking.
Fill up a bathtub and use that water to flush toilets or take showers. You can also use it to wash dishes or clothes.
Your water heater also holds water. It will depend on the size of your home’s tank, but it can range between 20 and 80 gallons. If your sink has filtered or drinking water, fill up large containers. You can’t go wrong with having too much water.
Final Thoughts
Power outages are scary, but being prepared will help keep you and your family safe at these trying times. Stock up on essentials, make sure you’ve got backup power, and you’ll be ready for anything.
