Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Disaster Preparation Tips For Families: Navigating Power Outages

Whether caused by heavy winds, electricity overloads or a disaster of some sort, downed power lines are an inconvenience that cuts off energy sources to households for, sometimes, an extended time. In certain situations, power outages can be a safety risk to your family, as well. If you live in an area that is prone to power loss or just want to prepare for an occasional crisis, the following information is beneficial for your household members to learn and remember.

Educate your kids about electricity in advance: To help alleviate your children's fears about electrical outages, explain how power restoration works. Ask if local schools and power companies participate in power and electricity education with resources programs designed to teach children about electricity and its related issues.

Keep backup energy sources on hand: Emergency electrical sources, including battery packs and outdoor generators, are ideal to have in the event of a power outage. Ensure that you have a cellular phone charged and ready. A wood-burning stove is also something to consider as an extra heat source.

Protect your home against carbon monoxide emissions: Breathing in carbon monoxide can be fatal so, if you are experiencing a power-related disaster, refrain from using grilling devices, propane heaters, gas ovens or any other energy source that emits carbon monoxide indoors. Burning candles is generally safe if your home has plenty of ventilation and you don’t leave them unattended.

Follow food-safety guidelines: You can take several steps to prevent your perishable food from spoiling during a power outage. Freeze containers of water in advance, and use these to chill food during the crisis. Also, be sure to keep your freezer and refrigerator doors shut as tightly as possible.

Have a plan to check on friends and family: Share your preparation tips with friends, family members and neighbors in order to ensure that they will also stay safe when power lines go down. Remind others to keep a cellular or handset phone available so that you are able to check in during a disaster.

Turn electrical sources off: While the power is out, conserve energy by turning most appliance and light switches to the “off” position. Exceptions include the freezer and refrigerator: You want to preserve the food and you have one light source to signal that your home's power has returned.

Ensure that you can enter your home and car without power: If you are accustomed to entering and leaving your home through an electric garage door, then you should establish the habit of carrying an emergency door key at all times. This also applies to your vehicle in the event that you need to drive during a power outage.

Keep your gas tank full: Make it a practice to keep your gas tank at least half-full at all times if you live in an area that experiences frequent power loss. Remember that gas pumps will not be in operation when an electrical crisis is underway.

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