The average power outage in the US in 2021 lasted for over seven hours.
Various situations could cause your electricity could go out. Sometimes power outages can affect a small area and last just a few seconds, but they can also be very widespread and may last for several hours.
A power outage has the potential to cause major disruptions to daily life. If you’re suddenly without any power, you have to be prepared in order to avoid a more serious problem.
There are certain things you can do to avoid serious damage when there’s a power outage in the area you live in. Read our guide for tips on what to do when there’s a power outage.
Confirm the Power Is Out
This might seem obvious, but the first thing to do when the power goes out is to confirm what’s actually happening. It may not be a problem in the local area and could be just within your home.
If you can see other homes nearby that still have lights on, you should check your circuit breaker. The fuses in a breaker stops circuits from overheating as this can potentially damage devices or lead to fires.
If a breaker has tripped, try to determine what’s causing it. You may be able to do this by disconnecting everything that’s connected to the breaker, and reconnecting devices one at a time. If the same breaker seems to trip a lot, you should have a professional electrician take a look.
During a local power outage, your breaker won’t be the issue. You may be able to tell how far the power outage spread by looking outside at other homes and streetlights.
Call Your Local Utility
After you check for a power outage and confirm it’s not your breaker, you should call your utility company. Any of the following could provide your energy:
- TDSP (Transmission & Distribution Service Providers)
- EDU (Electric Distribution Utilities)
- TDU (Transmission and Distribution Utility)
The faster it’s reported, the faster they’ll start working to fix it.
Turn Off or Unplug Your Appliances
A power outage can damage electrical devices in the same way a brownout can. You don’t want your appliances to break, so you should go around your home and unplug any expensive items.
There’s always a risk of a power surge during a blackout. Having things like TVs and computers unplugged when the power returns will help to keep them safe. With a lot of items plugged in, your circuit breaker may trip as they all come on at once.
During a longer blackout, you may forget what was in use when it started. Some items, such as irons, stoves, and hair straighteners, can be hazardous if left on and unattended. You want to unplug these so that they won’t turn back on when the power comes back.
Keep Your Refrigerator and Freezer Closed
Without any power, your fridge and freezer will stop working and can warm up fairly quickly. You don’t want all the perishable food inside to go bad, so you need to try to ensure they stay as cold as possible. Only open them if you have to, as every time you do the little cold air left will escape.
You can typically consume refrigerated food for up to about 4 hours after the power goes out. If you have a full fridge, a lot might go to waste. Packing what’s left into a cooler with ice can help keep food cold for longer.
Use Flashlights for Lighting
A power outage during the day can be an issue, but things are worse if it happens at night. Your lights will stop working, so it’s important to have some flashlights at the ready. Matches are another option, but they present a fire risk, so flashlights are generally better.
You can even buy light bulbs that have built-in batteries. These will stay fully charged in your light sockets, and can then provide you with around six hours of light if the power goes out.
Keep Your Family Safe and Comfortable
You should pass all of this knowledge on to your family so that they also know what to do in a power outage. Depending on your location and the time of year, it could be very warm or extremely cold. Make sure your family is gathered in the most comfortable area of your home.
Make sure everyone is dressed suitably, and have a supply of water ready. Make sure you take into account young children, the elderly, or anyone with medical conditions as they may need extra care.
Practice Generator Safety
In areas that often experience power outages, a lot of people purchase generators. With one of these, you’ll still have power, which can be incredibly helpful.
It’s important to understand, however, that generators can be dangerous if used improperly. This is more often the case with gas and diesel generators but is also true of solar and wind-powered generators.
You should only operate a combustion generator in an open or outdoor space. They produce carbon monoxide, which can be very harmful if inhaled.
Make sure you keep it away from water and only refill it after it has cooled down to prevent overheating. If you own a portable generator, connect it directly to appliances rather than to your home electrical system.
Never attempt to draw more power than the rated supply of a generator. This can cause overheating and lead to a fire.
A modern alternative to this is a solar power system with a solar battery. The battery will charge during the day, and then provide you with power when needed. Finding the best battery storage company will help you get the right solution for your home.
Dealing With a Power Outage in the Area You Live
A power outage in the area you live in is never ideal, but with the right planning, it’s a manageable situation. Safety should always be a priority, and with the right preparation, getting through a power outage shouldn’t be too difficult.
For more lifestyle guides, check out some of our other blog posts.