Power outages can happen at any time of the year. But when they occur in the winter when the temps have dropped, an outage can be a cause for concern. Higher winds, heavy snowfall, and ice storms often lead to cold-weather power outages. These weather conditions cause residents to lose their primary heating system, resulting in alarm. The best way to address cold weather power outages is to be prepared. Here are five tips to follow when facing one.
1. Stock Up on Water and Food
If you know that a winter storm is coming your way, stock up on food and water to last you for at least three days. Even if there isn’t a storm on its way, it’s best to start stocking up on water and food at the beginning of the winter season. Be sure to periodically check your inventory, throw away expired foods, and restock as needed.
2. Create an Emergency Kit
There’s no better time to have an emergency kit than when you’re experiencing a cold weather power outage. These emergency kits are also known as 72-hour kits as they are meant to provide aid for three days. Your kit should include tools like a battery-operated radio, hand crank, medications, duct tape, a first aid kit, and anything else that might be useful during an outage.
3. Consider Potential Power Surges
Most individuals experiencing a power outage don’t think about a power surge. When power is restored, there will be a quick spike of higher voltage. Power surges can damage your electronics. For this reason, it’s best to unplug appliances and devices once a power outage has occurred. You should leave one light source plugged though, such as a lamp. This will help you know when the light has been restored.
4. Charge Phones With Your Car
To keep your phone and any other essential electronic devices charged, use your car battery to give it some juice. If you don’t want to use your car battery, consider using a portable battery pack with USB ports if you have one lying around the home.
5. Protect Yourself Against Carbon Monoxide
The risk of carbon monoxide increases during power outages in the winter. It’s vital that you avoid using a gas range to try and warm yourself during the outage. Instead, use a portable stove or charcoal grill. If you have a generator, be sure to use it at least 20 feet away from windows. Lastly, ensure that your carbon monoxide detectors are working at all times. For best practice, you should always regularly check detectors to ensure they are in good working condition.
Protect Yourself During a Cold Weather Outage
When a cold weather outage occurs, be sure to keep you and your home protected by using these tips. Do you need a generator to prepare yourself for an unexpected outage? Feel free to contact Money Electric for generator installation in Conway, AR or the surrounding area.