If you’ve checked the news this past week, there was an unprecedented “Winter Storm” that took place in the southern United States that took a significant toll on citizens in many cities. Lack of preparation or relief plans for such low temperatures sent people into a panic, wondering how to make it through the week with no power or water. As power outages covered states like Texas, and plumbing was severely impacted due to the freezing of pipes, Plan B became an afterthought that has changed the way Southerners prepare for future disasters.
Preventative Tips
Taking Preventative measures for power outages doesn’t make you paranoid; it makes you prepared. Here are a few methods to take before a natural disaster or rolling blackout that can help ease the discomfort of living without power for a temporary period.
- Have a prepared stash of non-perishable food items available.
What counts as non-perishable? Foods that have a long shelf life and don’t require refrigeration. Canned goods, Dried fruits and nuts, and boxed carbohydrates like cereals or oats.
- Prepare your emergency power generator plan.
It’s essential to not only know how your backup generator will work but to plan an appropriate place to house and run the generator. You must be aware of the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning and how easy it is to be affected by the gas if your generators are running in an enclosed space rather than open air. An extra important step if you’re powering up your operation with a backup generator is simultaneously running a gas detector. A great option to take a look at would be the STARCOMM Gas Detector options take the guesswork out of generator safety and give you peace of mind.
- Increase or decrease inside temperatures
Depending on the external temperature and whether you know beforehand of a potential power outage, it helps increase or decrease both air conditioning and any internal refrigeration power. For example, the recent February 2021 freeze in Texas prompted people to turn their heaters up in preparation for a power outage to warm up and prolong comfortable indoor temperatures should the power go out.
Post Power Outage Tips
- Refrigeration sanitation
If you’re unsure about a specific food item’s shelf life, it’s essential to throw out any food if exposed to temperatures over 40 degrees for even a few hours. This will help prevent food-borne illnesses. Another tip is to keep the refrigerator or freezer doors closed as long as possible. Keeping the doors closed will trap the cool temperature in extending the life of your food.
- Fill up your gas tanks.
If you haven’t previously filled up your vehicle’s gas tank or prepared a gas tank for a backup generator, do so as soon as possible if your power goes out. Gas stations run on electricity, so the number of available gas stations pumping fuel will be limited and gas will likely run out relatively quickly.
- Unplug your devices
To avoid a power surge once your power is turned back on, it’s a good idea to unplug any of your devices, as they won’t be of use to you anyways. Better safe than sorry later on!
We hope these tips helped prevent and deal with power outages. To speak with an expert about renting one of our industrial generators or handheld radios to help with communications when power is down, contact us here.