Wiktor Wise
Losing electricity can be stressful and dangerous, so it's important to know what to do when the power goes out. There are several steps you can take to prepare for a power outage, such as assembling an emergency kit with flashlights, a battery-operated radio, extra batteries, non-perishable food, and bottled drinking water. During a power outage, you should unplug your appliances to prevent damage from power surges, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed to prevent food spoilage, and conserve your phone battery. If the power outage occurs during cold weather, you can prevent pipes from freezing by turning on all the cold water faucets so they drip, or by shutting off the water and draining the pipes. It's also important to be cautious when using a generator, as carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly.
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What You'll Learn
- Unplug electrical appliances and electronics to avoid damage from power surges
- Conserve your phone's battery life and use it to stay connected
- Keep freezers and refrigerators closed to maintain food temperature
- Prevent pipes from freezing by turning on cold water faucets
- Use a generator outdoors and away from windows to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
Unplug electrical appliances and electronics to avoid damage from power surges
Power outages can be stressful and disruptive, and they can also be dangerous. When the electricity goes out, it is important to act quickly to protect your devices and appliances and to keep your family and pets safe.
One of the most important things to do during a power outage is to unplug electrical appliances and electronics. This will help to prevent damage from power surges when the power comes back on. Power surges occur when there is a sudden increase in electrical voltage, causing too much electricity to flow through your system and impacting all connected devices. They can be caused by electrical overloads, faulty wiring, lightning strikes, or the restoration of power after an outage.
While power surges are rare and usually brief, they can cause significant damage to electronic devices and appliances, even if they are not turned on. To protect your devices, unplug them as soon as the power goes out. If you are aware of an impending power outage, such as during a storm, unplug your devices beforehand to be safe. This includes major appliances, televisions, and computers.
In addition to unplugging devices, you can also use surge protectors, which block excess voltage from reaching your electronics. Point-of-use surge protection devices and special wall outlets with built-in protection can be purchased at most hardware stores and home improvement centres. For more comprehensive protection, you can install a whole-house surge protector.
By taking these precautions and acting quickly during a power outage, you can help prevent damage to your electrical appliances and electronics caused by power surges.
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Conserve your phone's battery life and use it to stay connected
During a power outage, your smartphone is your most valuable resource. It can provide you with access to news and instructions and allow you to keep in touch with your loved ones. Here are some ways to conserve your phone's battery life and use it to stay connected:
Before a Power Outage
- Keep your phone plugged in as much as possible when a storm is approaching.
- Charge your laptop to use as a backup charging source.
- Restart your laptop to turn off all running applications and programs.
- Dim the screen of your laptop.
During a Power Outage
- Turn down the display of your phone to the lowest level at which you can still read it to conserve power.
- Use text messages instead of calling. Text messages use tiny amounts of data that are sent quickly and do not require as much battery power as a phone call.
- Use Low Power Mode on your iPhone or Battery Saver on your Android phone to reduce screen brightness and minimize animations and background data usage.
- Turn off Siri and Google Assistant as they put an unnecessary strain on your battery.
- Avoid using high power-draining apps such as Google, Facebook, Messenger, YouTube, and Gmail unless necessary.
- Use Airplane mode to optimize your battery life. However, note that you cannot make or receive calls in this mode.
- Invest in a battery charger or a battery charger case.
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Keep freezers and refrigerators closed to maintain food temperature
If the power goes out, your food is at risk of becoming too warm, which can cause dangerous bacteria to grow. To keep your food cold, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. This will keep the cool air insulated inside for as long as possible, extending the life of your food and slowing it from warming and spoiling. A refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours, while a full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. If you need to keep food cold for longer, use coolers with ice.
If you have a backup generator, you can use this to power your refrigerator or freezer. However, generators should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and attached garages to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. If you don't have a generator, you can use a cooler with ice to keep food cold. You can also try to conserve the cool air in your refrigerator or freezer by avoiding opening the door as much as possible.
If you have perishable food, monitor the temperature inside your refrigerator or freezer with a thermometer. Throw out food if the temperature rises above 40°F (4°C). Perishable foods include dairy, meat, fish, eggs, and leftovers. If you're not sure whether food has spoiled, remember: when in doubt, throw it out.
In addition to keeping your food cold, there are several other things you can do to prepare for a power outage. Make sure you have flashlights, batteries, and a battery-operated radio. If you rely on electricity for medical devices or refrigerated medicines, speak to your medical provider about a power outage plan. Also, make sure you have non-perishable food and bottled drinking water stocked up.
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Prevent pipes from freezing by turning on cold water faucets
Losing electricity can be frustrating and even dangerous, so it's important to know what to do in such situations. Here are some detailed instructions on how to prevent pipes from freezing by turning on cold water faucets during a power outage:
Keep Faucets Open and Running at a Trickle:
Let a small amount of cold water drip or run at a trickle from faucets served by exposed pipes. Even a slight flow of running water can help prevent pipes from freezing. This is especially important if your pipes are located near exterior walls or in unheated areas like basements, attics, or garages.
Open Cabinet Doors:
Keep the cabinet doors open in your kitchen and bathroom to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if your sinks are on exterior walls. This helps prevent the pipes in these areas from freezing.
Maintain Consistent Thermostat Settings:
Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during the day and at night. Avoid lowering the temperature at night as you normally would. While this may result in a higher heating bill, it's crucial to prevent pipes from freezing and potentially bursting, which can cause costly repairs.
Insulate Pipes:
If possible, insulate your pipes, especially those in unheated or exposed areas. Pipe insulation is affordable and can be purchased at your local hardware store. This will help maintain higher temperatures around the pipes, reducing the risk of freezing.
Take Preventative Measures:
Before the onset of cold weather, take preventative measures. Drain water from swimming pool supply lines and water sprinkler lines. Ensure your pipes are well-insulated, especially if they are near exterior walls or in unheated areas.
Remember, if you suspect a pipe has frozen, apply heat to that section of the pipe using safe methods such as electric heating pads or hair dryers. Do not use open flames, as they can damage pipes and pose a fire hazard. If you cannot locate or access the frozen area, or if you are unable to thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber for assistance.
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Use a generator outdoors and away from windows to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
If you experience a power outage, it is important to know how to use a generator safely to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and other hazards. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly to humans and animals.
Generators should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and attached garages. This is because generators produce carbon monoxide, and keeping them far away from openings to your house will prevent the gas from entering your home. It is also important to keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding. Touching a wet generator or devices connected to one can cause electrical shock.
If you have a generator, you can connect appliances directly to it by running cords outside. Make sure to use outdoor-rated extension cords of the appropriate gauge, as specified in the user manual. If you don't have a transfer switch, you can plug individual appliances into the generator's outlets, but always follow safety precautions.
In addition to using a generator safely outdoors, there are other measures you can take to protect yourself and your home during a power outage. It is important to unplug appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges when the power comes back on. Keep freezers and refrigerators closed to maintain the temperature and prevent food spoilage. Use coolers with ice if needed and monitor temperatures with a thermometer. Throw out food if it reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
To stay connected and informed during a power outage, conserve your cell phone battery by switching to a power-saving mode. Write down important phone numbers and addresses, such as hospitals, schools, or libraries, where you can recharge your devices and stay updated on the situation.
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Frequently asked questions
It's a good idea to have an emergency kit ready with flashlights, a battery-operated radio, extra batteries, matches/candles, bottled drinking water, non-perishable foods, charged backup chargers for cell phones, medical supplies, blankets, and extra clothes appropriate for the weather. You should also keep a gallon of water per person per day stocked up.
First, confirm what is happening. Check your main electric panel to see if a breaker tripped. Try to find out what caused the problem and disconnect anything on that circuit before flipping the breaker back on. If it's a widespread outage, report it to your power company. Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep food cold for longer. Unplug your appliances to protect them from power surges when the power comes back on. Conserve your cell phone battery.
If it's cold, dress in layers and use extra blankets. If it's hot, use a battery-powered fan or drive to a cool place like a library. If you have a generator, operate it at least 20 feet away from your house and direct the exhaust away from doors and windows.
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