What To Do If Your Power Goes Out
With the winter season just beginning, you can be sure that the inevitable snowstorm is coming your way. These storms are a threat to electrical equipment. When snow and ice create buildup on power lines, the weight can cause them to break. Tree limbs can also become heavy with snow and ice, causing them to snap and fall onto power lines.
A home power outage can happen with electrical equipment down and not functional. Having all your power shut off at once can lead to utter panic but remaining calm and rational during an outage is important. When you have a plan in place, you are relieved from extra stress and anxiety.
Power Outage Checklist
- Call your utility company. Your utility company is responsible for restoring service during power outages, damaged power lines, and other electrical emergencies. They must be aware of your outage to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
- Protect your appliances. Invest in a surge protector to ensure your appliances and electronics are protected ahead of time. When the power goes out, unplug important appliances, such as TVs, computers, or large appliances, if it is safe to do so. Leave just one light turned on so you can tell when the power comes back.
- Gather flashlights. Do not use candles for light or warmth, as they are a serious fire hazard.
- Keep refrigerator doors closed. Food in an unopened fridge should stay cold for about four hours. A half-full freezer should keep the temperature for 24 hours and a full freezer for about 48 hours.
- Have an emergency kit on hand. This step requires some preparation ahead of time but will pay off in the long run. Prepare your emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, extra batteries, medical supplies, extra clothes, and blankets. Having these items on deck will prevent you from having to find them in the dark.
Invest In A Backup Generator
The easiest way to function in your home with a power outage is to invest in a backup generator. Generators can keep your lights on during electrical outages and necessary power appliances. Every home should have a backup generator to avoid the inconveniences and dangerous situations having no electricity can put them in.
If you want to save you and your family the struggle of trying to survive without power this stormy cold season, call (301)365-4226 to contact a professional generator installer. GenTech Generators provides one free preventative maintenance visit with the purchase of a generator so you can be sure to have a safe and working generator this winter.