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How to Survive with No Power
Matthew
Speer
Losing power once seemed like an
inconvenience.
A bad storm or the occasional transformer
blow out could result in lost power for a few hours.
But as recent events in California show, much
longer power outages are possible, leaving people to survive with no power for
days instead of hours.
To reduce the chance that active power lines
could contribute to wildfires, Pacific Gas and Energy cut power for days to
almost one million homes.
Over the course of the blackouts, an
estimated 2.5 million people found themselves in the dark, according to NPR.
Such events may become more common,
especially if you live in or near places with a history of wildfires,
hurricanes and severe winter storms.
If that is the case, the following tips on
how to survive with no power are for you.
What To Expect During Power Outages
One of the first things you realize when you
lose power for a long period is just how much you have come to depend on power.
Electricity is central to almost everything:
food storage and cooking, medical services, communications, computers, conducting
financial transactions and the pump working at the local gas station.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
provides a list of issues that paints a grim but accurate picture of what to
expect when the power goes out.
They include disruption of communications,
water, and transportation.
Also, you can expect retail stores, grocery
stores, gas stations, ATMs and banks to close.
Some medical devices will not work.
There’s a potential of “food spoilage and
water contamination.”
Tips For Power Outages
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to
minimize the damage from long power outages.
While not all of them will apply to your
situation, these issues typically are universal.
Plan Ahead
You must know what to expect in order to
prepare for it happening. Then, take an inventory of everything in your life
that runs on electricity.
Other steps the DHS recommends doing in
advance include:
Talking to your medical provider about how
long refrigerated medications can be stored at higher temperatures.
Find out what type of batteries your medical
devices run on and stock up.
Stock up on all types of batteries well in
advance. Make sure everyone in the house has flashlights with extra batteries.
Install carbon monoxide detectors that work
with batteries within your home
Have food supplies that are edible without
being cooked or refrigerated. Have plenty of bottled water.
If you have reason to believe you may lose
power (a hurricane is approaching, for example), then DHS recommends:
Using a thermometer so you know the
temperature in the refrigerator and freezer once power is restored.
If the temperature is more than 40 degrees,
throw out the food.
Keep phones charged at 100% for as long as
you can
Fill your gas tanks.
Get local weather alerts and track local
weather reports.
When the weather event happens, always make
sure to keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
Another important task is to check out
neighbors who are older or those with small children. They may require help
during a long power outage.
Remember to have a plan for aging parents
& elderly neighbors in case of an emergency.
If there’s no power, people with Alzheimer’s
can quickly get disoriented and having gifts for people with dementia can help
keep them calm and avoid repetitive behaviors.
Other Issues To Keep in Mind
While the above covers many of the main
issues on how to survive with no power, here are some other items to check off
your planning list.
Can opener. This is such a common mistake
that it bears mentioning. Make sure you have a can opener, otherwise all that
canned food is for nothing.
Cook over a fire. Arrange a charcoal grill or
outdoor pit where you can cook with no electricity.
Long matches. You will want these to light a
fire in the fireplace or ignite charcoal for cooking.
Freeze water. Frozen water can displace air
in the refrigerator or freezer, resulting in food staying colder for longer.
Surge protector. Plug your computer,
television and other electronic devices into a surge protector – or keep them
unplugged altogether – to protect them from power surges when the power comes
back on.
Also, remain vigilant for carbon monoxide
poisoning. Avoid the issue altogether by never burning charcoal or using
gas-powered or propane-powered equipment unless you are outdoors.
Losing electricity for long periods of time
is disruptive. But it’s something everyone should plan on experiencing.
You can survive with no power if you take
steps to prepare your home and your family.
Matthew
Speer
is a Marketing and Advertising Executive that has worked with companies like
AOL and U.S. News University Connection. He also has a passion for
sustainability and keeping the Earth a beautiful place for our future
generations which is why he helped create iSustainableEarth.com. Inspired by
his own family and taking strides to go green he strives to live a sustainable
lifestyle through research and action.
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