Due to the weather conditions, and especially if you live in colder areas, there is a chance that you often experience power outages. They could be caused by natural disasters like thunderstorms, strong winds, or snowstorms, or malfunctions of the electric power system. Whatever the cause, power loss, especially if frequent, can seriously make your everyday life more difficult. Here is what you need to get for your home to make sure you will be able to do your everyday tasks despite the blackout.
Invest in a Power Generator
Power generators could be crucial for your survival and well-being in case of natural disasters, like hurricanes, which can cause blackouts and get you trapped in your home for days. A power generator could be costly, but it is sure to pay off in the end. There are used generators for sale UK located, which will serve you as well as new.
You could even get a top generator pro to come and install one for you, saving you any hassle. If you have someone reliable to service your generator and make sure it’s always running smoothly, it can be the perfect fail-safe power source for your home. When there is a power outage, you simply flip the switch on a previously connected generator, and it will serve you as a temporary power supply. There are even automatic ones that will turn themselves on immediately after the power loss.
Non-Electric Heaters and Stoves
Electric heaters and stoves are the most common ones, but you should think of buying backup non-electric ones in case of a power blackout. As previously mentioned, frequent blackouts are most common during cold winter months, and it would do you no good to be left without a heating source at that time. The most common non-electric ones are propane and kerosene heaters. Avoid those which are supposedly vent-free as the gas they produce will probably just go back into the room, which can lead to gas poisoning or combustion.
Non-Electric Light Sources
These items are the easiest and cheapest to acquire. Most people always have spare candles lying somewhere around the house. If you want to go for something more durable and effective (and less of a burning hazard), buy a battery or solar lamps. Oil lamps have also been a popular choice. However, because of the kerosene, it is not that recommended. If you do have it, make sure that the room is properly ventilated at all times. Lighting up the room after a power outage should be the priority, as you will probably injure yourself if you decide to roam around in the dark.
Refrigerators and Freezers
This is one of the most important things to consider, especially if the power loss lasts longer than a few hours. You could always acquire a portable freezer. However, it is definitely not a long-term solution. When your refrigerator and freezer start to warm up, there is a great chance that the food will get spoiled sooner than later. Try to pile up as much ice and water bottles in between food to slow down the process. Also, it would be a good idea to get a thermometer and track the temperature. Keep the doors closed as long as possible so that the warmth doesn’t seep in.
Power Bank
Power banks are essentially portable chargers. They are a pocket-sized piece of technology that offers you the opportunity to keep your phone battery charged when you don’t have an available power source nearby. They are extremely useful, especially if you are on the road, and they can be useful in case of a power outage too. However, this is only a temporary solution because they also need to be charged from time to time. Nonetheless, if your phone dies and you need to call for help or finish some daily task, they will give you at least one additional battery recharge.
Portable Router
Similar to power banks, portable routers function without electricity and they are charged when connected to your laptop. They are also not a full-time solution, but they could come in handy if you have an immediate task for work that needs to be finished soon or if you need to contact someone for help. However, if the blackout is widespread and your internet provider is also affected, you probably won’t have the connection either way. If they are not, a portable router will serve as a good replacement until the power comes back on.
In Conclusion:
Blackouts can be pesky and annoying, but even more than that, inconvenient and even dangerous. If they happen often, it could prevent you from living your everyday life naturally. That is why you should always be prepared beforehand and try to make the situation as non-disruptive as possible. It is always best to be safe than sorry, and in cases like these, if you don’t have the proper supplies and equipment, you could get yourself into a life-threatening situation.
