Preparing Your Home For a Power Outage Before It Happens

Power outages can happen anytime, leaving you without electricity for hours or even days. Whether it's due to a natural disaster, a blown transformer, or a grid failure, being prepared for a power outage is essential to ensure the safety and comfort of you and your family.

Power outages are on the rise in the USA

According to researchers, there has been a 64% increase in power outages over the past decade compared to the previous decade.

In the U.S., power outages in the U.S. are on the spike due to the climate crisis. As the planet's temperature rises, severe and more frequent weather events such as hurricanes, wildfires, and extreme heat waves are expected. These weather events can damage power infrastructure and cause power outages that last several days or weeks.

From assessing your home's vulnerability to gathering supplies and equipment, securing your home, and installing backup power sources, we'll cover it all in this guide. Find out how to prepare your home for a power outage before it happens so that you can be ready when an emergency strikes.

Understand Your Home's Power Needs

Before preparing your home for a power outage, it's crucial to understand how much power your appliances use and what they are. For example:

Your refrigerator uses the most electricity in the home.
Your freezer uses less than half as much energy as the refrigerator because it doesn't have to keep food cold all day long like a refrigerator.
A washing machine uses about 1/3rd of what an oven does.

Assess Your Home's Vulnerability to Power Outages

A power outage can happen anytime and last for hours or even days. This means that you need to be prepared with enough supplies and knowledge, so you don't get caught off guard by an unexpected event.

First, assess your home's vulnerability to power outages by checking its electricity supply and identifying any potential weak points. This means taking stock of all appliances in your house, including lights and electronics, and thinking about what would happen if they were suddenly cut off from their energy source (i.e., the wall socket).

Gather Supplies and Equipment

Prepare an emergency kit. You can create one yourself or purchase it online from Amazon, which will have everything you need to prepare for a power outage.
Stock up on batteries and flashlights to keep around in an emergency where there's no light source besides candles or lanterns, which could pose fire hazards.

Purchase a generator if necessary. Purchasing a generator will be one of your best investments if you live in an area prone to frequent blackouts due to storms or other natural disasters.

Secure Your Home

When the power goes out, it's not just the darkness that you need to worry about. Powerages can also create opportunities for theft or break-ins, leaving you vulnerable to potential danger. That's why securing your home is crucial during a power outage.

Secure windows and doors: Make sure all windows and doors are locked and secured. Install additional locks or reinforcements, such as deadbolts or security bars, to make it more difficult for intruders to enter.
Unplug unnecessary appliances: Unplug any appliances or electronics that are not essential during a power outage. This will reduce the risk of electrical fires and prevent potential power surges that could damage your appliances.
Take precautions with hazardous appliances: If you have any appliances that could be potentially hazardous during a power outage, such as a gas stove or generator, take extra precautions to ensure they are used safely. Follow all safety instructions and never use them indoors or in enclosed spaces.
Use exterior lighting: Make sure your home's exterior is well-lit, with motion-activated lights or a backup power source like solar-powered lights. This will deter potential intruders and make it easier for you to navigate around your property during a power outage.

Install Backup Power Sources

If you're looking to prepare your home for a power outage, one of the first things to consider is backup power sources. Backup power sources are devices that will keep running when there's no electricity available. There are several different types of backup power sources:

Practice Power Outage Drills

For people who live in areas that don't experience frequent power outages, it can be easy to forget how crucial it is to plan for when they happen.

One way of doing this is through regular safety drills, particularly if you have children who might only be aware of what needs doing during an outage situation once it happens. These drills should include all members of your household, including pets, and cover topics such as:

How much food and water do we need?
Where should we meet up if separated from one another?

Stay Informed

It's important to remember that power outages can be unpredictable, so always take caution and take any necessary precautions to ensure your safety.

Sign up for emergency alerts.
Follow local news.
Know who to contact in an emergency

Key Takeaway

In conclusion, power outages can be a major inconvenience and a potential safety hazard. However, by taking the necessary steps to prepare ahead of time, you can minimize the impact of a power outage on your home and family.

Remember to prioritize safety, conserve energy, and stay informed during a power outage. Doing so can ensure you are as prepared as possible for any unexpected disruptions to your power supply. Be ClimaGuard ready!