Name: Blackout Basics: What to Do When the Power Goes Out
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Blackout Basics: What to Do When the Power Goes Out

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You are here:This post may contain affiliate links.* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read our affiliate policy.31SHARESAn increase in severe weather-related events combined with an aging infrastructure has made power outages more of a “not if but when” event for many Americans.According to the&nbsp;U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average American home experiences about two hours of power outage each year outside of major weather events. However, the key word in the sentence is “outside.”The number of outages triples when the agency factors in hurricanes, wildfires, heatwaves, and severe winter storms. Overall, outage time has more than doubled since 2013, when the EIA began compiling its reliability data.Annual power outage periods vary significantly between states, from about 1.5 hours in South Dakota to nearly 30 hours in North Carolina, according to EIA data. As you would expect, states more prone to extreme weather—such as hurricanes in North Carolina — have significantly longer disruptions.Want to save this post for later? Click Here to Pin It On Pinterest!Additionally, our nation’s power grid has become a target for domestic extremists. Attacks on U.S. power grids rose to a historic high in 2022, with physical threats and cyberattacks to electric infrastructure increasing by 77 percent to 163, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).Let’s face it. Power outages are an inconvenience for anyone. However, the longer they last, the more dangerous they can become.Food spoilage, exposure to threatening temperatures, potentially disabled water systems, medical equipment failures, and lack of refrigeration for medications top the list of dangers that can occur when the lights go out.In addition, lengthy blackouts can hurt businesses. The DOE estimates blackouts cost American businesses around $150 billion per year.Although there is little the average citizen can do to prevent a blackout, there are some steps you can take to help you through one. This article offers a list of 12 actions you can take during a power outage, which is defined as an unexpected loss of electricity.A “lights out” box (also called a blackout box) is a container full of supplies that come in handy when the power goes out. Here are some of the essentials to place in your box, tote, or bag.Make sure the box is in an easy-to-retrieve location when the lights are out. Check on the items in the bag at least once a year, rotating them out as necessary. Check out this&nbsp;video&nbsp;for more ideas for your blackout box.Only open your refrigerator and freezer doors when necessary during a blackout. An unopened refrigerator will remain cold for around four hours without power. A full freezer will hold its temperature for approximately 48 hours.Eat any perishable foods first. Throw away poultry, meat, fish, eggs, and leftovers after four hours without power. Go by the “when in doubt, throw it out” rule for food spoilage. Here are additional&nbsp;guidelines&nbsp;for food health and safety during a power outage.In a widespread outage, the municipal water supply may become unsafe to drink or stop flowing.By filling large containers ahead of time, you’ll have a limited supply of water for washing, drinking, and toilet flushing. Also, keep in mind that you could have 40 gallons (or more) of water in your water heater.Use your cellphone or the battery-powered radio to find out what you can about the outage, including what caused it and how long it is expected to last. Your local power company website is one source of information.Common causes of power outages include wind and ice damage from storms and periods of high usage during heat waves. If you see a downed power line, stay away from it and report it to local authorities.If some of your family members are away from home, it may be best for them to stay put. Power outages often make during unsafe due to poor road conditions, street lights, and traffic lights being out.If you don’t have an emergency family contact plan in place, it’s time to create one now before a blackout or other crisis occurs. Here are suggestions&nbsp;for making a contact plan.When the electricity comes back on, the resulting surge can damage sensitive electronics. Make sure your appliances, TVs, and computers are plugged into surge protectors. For even more protection, you can just unplug your electric devices during a blackout.As another precaution, turn down your thermostat to protect your HVAC system from a power surge. Here is more information from the&nbsp;Electrical Safety Foundation&nbsp;on keeping your electronics and home safe during and after a power outage.If you’re facing a long-term outage, it’s best to be frugal in your use of battery-operated or solar-powered devices so that they last as long as possible. Here are some tips:Choose one room of your home for everyone (including pets) to gather in during the outage period. That way, you can close off the rest of the house to help retain cool or warm air in that one location.Winter ice and wind can play havoc with power lines. In addition to gathering in one location of your home, layer up clothing and use blankets to help conserve heat.Capture any warmth from the sun by opening curtains or other window coverings on south-facing windows during the day. Then, close the window coverings at night to help trap heat. Seal doorways or windowsills with tape, plastic, or even rolled sheets and blankets to help retain heat.If you have an uninterrupted water supply, keep a small stream or steady drip going in your faucets to keep water moving through your water pipes if your heating system is down.Here’s more on how to&nbsp;prevent frozen or burst pipes.Look for the rope or cord that connects your garage door to the opener rail. When the door is closed, you can pull that cord to disconnect the door from its electric opener. Then, you can raise and lower the door by hand while the power is out.We mentioned avoiding downed power lines in an earlier section, but here are other safety hazards to keep an eye out for during a blackout.As we prepared this article, the nation’s Southern states were enduring a long, sweltering heat wave that was presenting power challenges. As weather extremes and natural disasters become more frequent due to climate change, blackouts are becoming an ongoing threat.Don’t wait until you face an outage to prepare your home and family.Thanks for reading! If you're new here, I highly recommend reading this article which explains why civilization is going to collapse. If you want to start preparing, check out our list of free books and manuals and our list of recommended supplies. If you're feeling anxious about collapse, please visit the support page for tips on how to manage your emotions, places where you can get help, and lists of articles and videos on coping with collapse anxiety.31SHARESLogin CommentsInline FeedbacksView all comments© Copyright 2022-2023 Collapse Survival Site · All Rights ReservedContact Us · Disclosure · Privacy · Terms of Use · Site MapFacebook · Twitter · Pinterest* Collapse Survival Site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.wpDiscuz

You are here:This post may contain affiliate links.* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read our affiliate policy.31SHARESAn increase in severe weather-related events combined with an aging infrastructure has made power outages more of a “not if but when” event for many Americans.According to the&nbsp;U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average American home experiences about two hours of power outage each year outside of major weather events. However, the key word in the sentence is “outside.”The number of outages triples when the agency...

Blackout Basics: What to Do When the Power Goes Out

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