When the power goes out, the last thing you want is to be left shivering in the dark. Power outages can catch us off guard and disrupt the regular routines that we normally take for granted. To avoid this unpleasant situation, here are 5 ways you should prepare for a power outage.
#1 – Be Informed, Sign Up For Alerts, And Weather Warnings.
Stay up to date with the most recent alerts and weather warnings from the National Weather Service. Knowing the current weather and potential danger can provide you with the knowledge you need to prepare yourself, your family, your pets, and your home.
#2 – Prepare An Emergency Kit.
There’s never a bad time to prepare for a crisis by stocking up on gear and organizing it so you know exactly where it is when you need it. Keep an emergency kit somewhere accessible and stock it with essentials. Here is a list of some key items you should include when creating your kit:
- Battery Bank/Phone Charger
- A fully stocked first aid kit.
- Supplies of all needed medications including dosages.
- A flashlight and extra batteries
- Blankets
#3 – Stock Up On Non-Perishable Food And Water
Sometimes a power outage can last for several days, so there are a few items that every home should be stocked up on — just in case. These items include canned goods, dry mixes, and other items that don’t require refrigeration, cooking, water, or special preparation.
#4 – Keep Warm (and Stay Safe)
It’s important to have a plan in place to keep yourself and your family warm while riding out a power outage. During cold weather, have extra clothes and blankets on hand to warm up in. Sleeping bags, especially those rated at 20 degrees or colder, are incredibly effective at trapping body heat. Avoid gas stoves, charcoal grills, or other open-flame heat sources indoors. Deadly carbon monoxide gas, which is odorless and invisible, may build up in your home without you realizing it from such activities. Closing the doors to rooms you don’t need to access during the power outage will also help contain heat to a single location.
#5 – Equip Your Home With An Automatic Standby Generator
Unlike portable generators, automatic standby generator systems are permanently installed similarly to an air conditioner unit outside. The generator, powered by natural gas or propane, turns on within seconds of a power loss and runs for as long as necessary until utility power is restored. The American Red Cross considers standby generators safer than portable generators because they don’t come with the risk of deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Check out our Automatic Standby Generators to keep your home prepared, comfortable, and safe by protecting your home automatically during a power outage. Read below for more benefits of an automatic standby generator.
- They may be turned on manually, or they may be programmed to switch on automatically in the case of a power outage even when no one is home.
- Power will be supplied for extended periods of time.
- Hard-wired systems, such as a home’s furnace and air conditioner may maintain continuous power.
- Uninterrupted power can be supplied to systems like medical equipment that must remain on continuously.
Let Home Comfort Alliance install a standby generator to keep your home running. Call us today at (425) 655-7705 or schedule service online! The heating, cooling, and electrical experts of King, Snohomish, Pierce & Island counties.
