18 Power Outage Tips for Disasters

Everyone depends on electricity for work, cooking, heating and air. So what happens when power is unavailable because of a hurricane or thunderstorm? There are three parts to power outages. You should know what to do before, during and after an outage to protect yourself and your family. But it’s always best to start with preparation.

Preparing for a Power Outage

Navigating a power outage is much easier when you’ve prepared beforehand. Use these five tips for planning to make your job more manageable when a disaster scenario arrives.

1. Build an Emergency Stockpile

The first step you should take is to build an emergency stockpile to keep your family safe. Items in your emergency stash should include the following:

• Flashlights: When the power goes out, it’s hard to tell when your electricity will return. In the meantime, you’ll have to use alternative light sources like flashlights. Select LED flashlights to ensure sufficient brightness — plus, they last five to 20 years, depending on the manufacturer.
• Batteries: Recharging electronics during an outage might not be an option, so you’ll need to have batteries ready. Get batteries of varying sizes and store them in your emergency kit. Keep it in an easily accessible location in case it’s too dark to see.
• First-aid kit: Emergencies can and will happen during these scenarios. It’s essential to have a first-aid kit on hand to tend to injuries. This kit should include antibiotic wipes, ointments, bandages, personal protective equipment and scissors. It could also include IFAK items, such as tourniquets and Israeli bandages, but you’re going to need training to use them properly.
• Medication: In a widespread power outage, you may be unable to access pharmacies and other stores to get your medications. Keep at least a seven-day supply of your prescriptions and plenty of over-the-counter medicines like pain relievers, antihistamines and other necessary items.
• Hygiene items: When the power goes out, a hot shower is far from most people’s minds. Still, you’ll need hygiene items to stay clean and upkeep your health. Your emergency kit should include hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, deodorant and dry shampoo. Remember items for children, too, such as diapers and pull-ups.

2. Stock Food and Water

A critical part of preparation is stocking food and water. Again, power outages could deprive you of access to these necessities, so you must prepare beforehand. Keep a stockpile of non-perishable food and water in your home’s supply closet or designated room. Rotate these items occasionally to ensure their freshness when you need them.

The general rule for water is to keep one gallon per person daily. A family of four will need about 28 gallons of water throughout the week for cooking and showering. Keep stockpiles of non-perishable food in your pantry because they won’t spoil during a power outage. Shelf-stable foods include rice, pasta, jerky and flour. Canned food like beans and vegetables are excellent during emergencies.

[Editor’s note: one gallon per person isn’t much. I suggest you shoot for five gallons per person per day. A single 55-gallon water barrel should suffice for one person for a week or two. Remember water for pets.]

3. Have Alternate Cooking Methods

Some foods require heating before you eat. You’ll also need hot or boiling water for disinfecting, bathing and more. How can you heat meals during power outages? You’ll need to find alternative methods that don’t require electrical outlets.

For example, use a gas stove for cooking. Your gas line will likely be intact, but you must use a lighter or match to start the stove. These devices typically use propane or butane, so ensure you have enough of these fuels beforehand.

It can’t hurt to also know how to start a fire (and do so safely), dabble in solar cooking, and just try different wants to heat food without your trusty stove or oven.

4. Copy Important Information

Your cell phone will only last so long, so it’s essential to have paper copies of important information. You should write down your loved one’s phone numbers so they’re easy to contact once you can reaccess a phone. Additionally, you should record the phone numbers and addresses of your local hospital, pharmacy and other essential facilities.

You may choose to evacuate during a power outage. Before you leave, you should carry copies of essential documents, such as your birth certificate and other identification forms. Remember to bring copies of your prescriptions, proof of address, financial papers and any other record you deem vital.

5. Locate Emergency Shelters

Power outages can be brutal in the summer and winter when temperatures get extreme. During these seasons, you should write down local buildings that serve as emergency shelters when the power goes out. These facilities may include churches, community centers, YMCAs or schools. Check their pet policy because they may have stipulations on bringing animals inside.

[Editor’s note: While true, and useful to at least know of such places, I can only imagine how much of a mess they might become during a real emergency. Please have some ability to keep yourself warm–even if only passively, such as with sleeping bags–during the winter as well as some ability to keep cool in the summer, even if it means only running a fan 24/7.]

Navigating a Power Outage

Power outages can come without warning, even if you only see sunny skies outside. When outages arise, use these six tips for navigating the circumstances.

1. Stay Updated

When this emergency arises, it’s imperative to stay informed. Many utility companies have online resources, like outage maps, where customers can check for updates on the power. Call the utility to ensure they know your electricity is gone when an outage occurs. A storm may only affect a particular area, so checking with your provider is essential.

Another way to stay updated is by tuning into weather radio stations. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration broadcasts National Weather Service updates all year. Listening to these stations updates you on tornado warnings, earthquakes and other hazards. You can listen online or get a weather radio specifically for these frequencies.

[Editor’s note: I absolutely recommend an NOAA weather radio, like the Midland WR400, but you can also get apps for your smartphone that will alert you to weather troubles and more.]

2. Decide on Evacuation

When a disaster scenario arises, many survivalists face a tricky question — should you stay or evacuate? Sheltering in place could be the answer if you operate better with familiarity. You know your land better than other terrains, so it could be safer — especially if you’ve prepared food and medical supplies.

Some outages suddenly occur and could last multiple days or weeks. If you don’t feel adequately prepared, consider rounding up the family and evacuating. Remember: community centers often have shelter and resources for the public.

If you evacuate, be mindful of the small details. For example, how will you transport your animals and care for their needs? Bring food, water, medication and blankets for them just as you would for yourself.

Also, how will you access your bug-out vehicle in the garage if your power goes out? Garage doors often have emergency release cords or kits, allowing you to access your storage without energy.

3. Conserve Phone Battery

Your phone is among the most essential items in a disaster scenario. It’s your primary form of communication, so it’s vital to conserve your battery and find alternative charging methods. Some strategies to try include:

• Airplane mode: When you don’t need your phone, consider putting it in airplane mode. Turning on airplane mode means your phone doesn’t transmit wireless signals and can’t connect to the internet. You can’t text or call, but it significantly saves battery.
• Low-power mode: When you need your phone, put it on low-power mode. This feature stops apps from running in the background and typically enables dark mode to save power. You can still text and call if necessary, but know your notifications may take longer.
• Portable charger: Portable chargers are a long-term solution if you think the outage will last more than a day. These devices are battery-powered and charge your phone without requiring electricity. Many portable chargers have multiple ports, allowing you to charge several devices simultaneously.

4. Contact Your Loved Ones

You may have the resources and skills to protect yourself and your immediate family, but how prepared are the rest of your loved ones? What about the neighbors? Contact your support network and ensure everybody is OK and has what they need to survive. Individuals who are elderly or have disabilities may be less equipped to navigate a power outage. If necessary, contact authorities to help these people if you cannot contact them directly.

5. Unplug Electronics

When the power goes out, you should unplug your electronic devices in the house. They won’t have any effect when your electricity is out, but it could negatively affect your home when it returns. The restored power could cause surges or voltage fluctuations, damaging sensitive electronics. Unplug devices like TVs, computers, microwaves and portable heaters to ensure safety.

6. Use an Outdoor Generator

One way to get power during an outage is to use a generator. Keep this appliance outside because of its carbon monoxide (CO) concentration. In the U.S., over 400 people die annually from CO poisoning. You can’t see or smell CO, so detecting it without a monitor is nearly impossible.

Keep your generator over 20 feet away from entry points like windows and doors to ensure the gases don’t infiltrate your home. If you use a generator, get a CO detector to ensure you don’t harm your family.

[Editor’s note: Generators are a huge source of CO poisoning. Alternatively, a solar generator may be a useful choice, one that’s slowly growing on me.]

Inspecting the Aftermath

Eventually, the power will come back on. It could take days or weeks, but inspecting the aftermath is worth your time. Here are three tips for taking care of your home afterward.

1. Dispose of Spoiled Food

If the power has been out for a few hours, you should check the refrigerator and freezer to inspect the food. Produce, meats, cheeses, condiments and more may have spoiled during the outage. Inspect the food to see if the outage ruined it and dispose of any rotten items.

The Centers for Disease Control says food in the fridge lasts four hours without power if you keep the door closed. Freezer food lasts much longer — 48 hours for a full freezer and 24 hours if your freezer is only half full. Review your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if it covers spoiled food.

2. Check Appliances

Power outages primarily affect two parts of your home — food and your electrical appliances. When the power returns, you should check all appliances to ensure they work correctly. The power outage could cause short-circuiting, unusual noises, sparks or smoke from your appliances. If these issues persist, unplug the device and contact an electrician.

When you regain electricity, be cautious when turning on the electronics. Be extra safe and plug the electronics in one at a time so your power grid isn’t overloaded. The last thing you want to do is damage your equipment immediately after you thought it was safe to return to normal. If necessary, have an electrician inspect your systems.

3. Restore Your Used Supplies

Most of us build stockpiles waiting for disaster scenarios to arise. When it comes, a week-long power outage could drain your stash. Restoring your used supplies and preparing for the next outage or another disaster situation is essential, whether that’s a week later or ten years from now. Regardless, it’s important to stay ready with your stockpile.

Avoiding Common Power Outage Mistakes

Power outages are unwelcome disaster scenarios to say the least, so leading your family through this tough time is crucial. Make sure to avoid these four common mistakes.

1. Neglecting the Warnings

The first mistake people make is not listening to local officials and their instructions. For example, lightning strikes and heavy hail could cause a power outage in your area. Local officials warn people to stay inside, but your neighbors go outdoors anyway and neglect their safety. Heed the warnings and stay updated through weather radios and safety alerts.

2. Opening the Fridge Door

Your fridge and freezer often contain hundreds of dollars worth of food. The last thing you want to do is let it spoil. Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed for as long as possible. Don’t open them unless it’s truly necessary, such as you or a pet may needing medicine from the refrigerator or you need to quickly grab something for dinner. Teenagers will just have to hover elsewhere.

3. Making Assumptions

When an outage occurs, your home likely isn’t the only affected residence. However, you shouldn’t make assumptions. Contact your utility company and notify them of your outage. Your neighbors may have already called them — but what if your house is the only one without power? Report the outage as soon as possible.

4. Neglecting Open Flames

Flashlights and candles may be your only light sources in the house. However, you should never leave candles and other open flames unattended — especially if children and pets are in the room. One accident can quickly turn your home into a housefire.

[Editor’s note: I have it out for candles. There’s no need to use them with today’s advances in lanterns and flashlights. Regardless, children and pets are always a concern around candles if you must use them.]

Protecting Your Family While Powerless

Power is essential for daily life and many people take it for granted. Life without power can be rough, so preparing for these situations is vital. Use these tips to navigate outages before, during and after they happen.

[Note: This was a guest post.]