We may no longer be in the heart of winter, but power outages are still a risk when severe weather hits. Even in the later winter months and well into spring, we can experience snow, ice, winds, severe cold, and thunderstorms. We rely on our heating and electrical systems to keep us comfortable through the worst of it. When power outages occur, you need to be ready.
Layer Your Clothing
If you experience a power outage, your first goal is to keep everyone as warm and comfortable as possible. To be prepared, you should dress in as many layers as you can reasonably manage. This keeps all areas of your body warm and allows you the option to remove a layer if you feel overheated. You should also gather blankets and other materials that can help you maintain your body temperature. If you have a fireplace, now is the perfect time to use it. If not, even candles generate a small amount of heat. If you know help is going to take a while, you can pitch a tent inside and make a fun camping trip out of it. This is a great way to distract younger kids who may be frightened by a power outage.
Unplug Electrical Devices
When a power outage happens, it is beneficial to unplug anything that is connected to your electrical system. Most of the time this isn’t an issue and your devices will be okay left plugged in (especially if you have power strips with GFI protection). In certain circumstances, however, the unstable electrical system can cause an electrical surge capable of damaging or destroying expensive electronics.
Close All Exterior Windows and Doors
You could be looking at a few hours or whole days without power depending on the circumstances. Try to preserve as much heat as possible. This includes keeping any windows or doors shut unless necessary. You can even use plastic wrap or bubble wrap to add a quick layer of additional insulation. In the same way you’re making the most of your body heat with layers of clothes, additional layers of material against your windows will conserve your home’s heat.
Contact Us for Power Needs
If you experience a power outage or related issues, we can help. We can first help determine if it is an issue with your home’s electrical system or the grid you are a part of. If it is an issue with your home’s wiring, we can then provide expert advice and the necessary repairs to ensure the issue gets solved. Contact us to learn more.
