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Did you know that 36.7 million people in the U.S. were affected by power outages in 2017? Mother nature is truly unpredictable so you should know what to do in the event of a power outage. Get ahead of the game before store shelves go empty and the lights go out.
Keep reading to learn 4 tips for preparing for a power outage.
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Have an Emergency Power Outage Kit
No one expects natural disasters to hit. However, you should always have a plan. If you live in an area that sees a lot of thunderstorms, hurricanes, or other phenomena that can cause power outages, you should have an emergency power outage kit.
This kit should include a plan for you and your family in the event of an outage. A power outage itself is a pretty benign event, but if it is caused by bad weather, everyone should know where to go and what to do. Every house should have a first-aid kit, as should your power outage kit.
If you or anyone else in your household takes medication on a regular basis, keep this in mind when making your kit. Aside from prescriptions, pack medications such as pain relievers and antihistamines.
If you have small children, this should include toys and games not dependant on power to keep them entertained.
Have a Stockpile of Non-Perishable Food and Bottled Water
You often don’t know how long a power outage will last, so you should have plenty of non-perishable food and bottled water to eat and drink while you wait it out. Ideally, you should have enough food and water saved for 3 days. One gallon of water per person per day is standard.
Have A Flashlight and Extra Batteries
Flashlights, as well as plenty of extra batteries, are among the most important things on your list. These should be in an easily accessible location so no one gets hurt trying to find them in the dark. There should be one flashlight for every person.
Buy a Portable Solar Generator
A backup power source is a great item to have when preparing for a power outage. A solar-powered generator does not rely on electricity and, depending on the size and power output, you can use it to run appliances such as toaster ovens, microwaves, a hot plate, and even a refrigerator.
A solar power generator such as the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 is safe to use inside your home as it produces no fumes. You can connect your electronics without the worry of power surges. You can even track the power levels on your smartphone via an app.
Contrary to what you might think, you can charge your solar generator even if it is overcast outside.
Preparing for a Power Outage Made Easy
Don’t get left in the dark. Preparing for a power outage is easy with our list. You could lose power at any time so you should have a plan and a backup power source such as a solar-powered generator.
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