If the power goes out, will you be prepared? Power outages can happen for a number of reasons. Blown transformers, strong winds, natural disasters, and other situations can cause widespread power outages.
The fact is that it doesn’t take much of a disruption to cause an unexpected power outage that affects thousands of people.
Most of us have been taught since we were young that it is important to have flashlights and candles available as light sources in case the lights go out. A lantern with a wide beam is good to have on hand to brighten up a room when the lights go out.
These light sources don’t work without their own fuel, so be sure you have extra batteries and matches available (or propane, if you have a propane lantern). These supplies will suit you just fine if the power goes out for just a few hours.
If you’re faced with a long-term power outage, you’ll need more than just light to make it through. You need to be able to stay warm, cook food, access fresh drinking water, and protect your family.
Make sure you have plenty of warm blankets, sleeping bags or comforters on hand. If the electricity goes out, the temperature in your home may quickly drop to an uncomfortable temperature. Long johns, winter jackets, warm hats and gloves are also good to have to keep you comfortable.
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If possible, you should have a heat source in your home that does not require electricity. Wood stoves are excellent sources of heat, and most are designed with a stovetop you can use to cook food and boil water.
If you don’t have a wood stove, you should consider other options for cooking your food. Camp stoves, outdoor grills or fire pits are great options. Make sure you store extra fuel so you don’t run out just when you need it most.
Store plenty of foods that don’t need to be refrigerated. Peanut butter, crackers, canned tuna, granola bars and trail mix are excellent to have on hand because they don’t need to be cooked. Make sure you also store plenty of drinking water in case the water supply is affected.
To stay updated on the latest news, consider purchasing a battery-operated or hand crank radio. This radio may be your only source of information during a power outage.
If you’re serious about prepping for a power outage, you’ll want to invest in a quality generator. If you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages, you may want a generator that will automatically power your entire house when the power goes out. Otherwise, a portable generator is a less expensive option that will be adequate. Again, make sure you have stored plenty of fuel for your generator.
