ByThe weather may get worse, and the storm may blow through in one day, but the lights and fans could stay out for a few days or a week or longer. An extended power outage can mean sweltering without air conditioning, shivering without heat stumbling in the dark, and in some cases, it can threaten your safety or health.
The important key to staying comfortable and safe during a long period of power outage is preparation and knowing what to do when the lights go out. Before the lights go out, it is also very important to check out your inverter generators, if you have one.
It is always best to have portable generators for home as having them can make you out of worry during extended power cuts. Here are a few more items and a helpful list of stuff you should have handy to overcome complicated situations during an extended power outage.
Sleeping bags
You might have already purchased these for camping adventures. You may have wanted an excuse to purchase them for possible camping adventures. Though, you may hate camping but love the womb-like comfort of sleeping inside the cloud. This sleeping bag is like a portal to happiness.
Bucket of water
No matter what the emergency, you will still have to go to the bathroom. But what if your toilet won’t flush? So, fill your buckets with water. So that you can pour it down the toilet.
Portable generators
It is best to purchase low-noise generators by checking out portable generator reviews online as a portable generator would be the fastest way to whirl back into action if you are facing a sudden power cut in your place but want to use your computer for work today.
First aid kit
It is one of the compulsory things you should have with you. It is best to have a first aid kit that includes:
- First aid instruction booklet
- Tweezers
- Scissors
- Oral thermometer (non-glass, non-mercury)
- Gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
- 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches), 5 sterile
- 1 roller bandage (3 or 4 inches wide),
- 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approx 1 gm)
- 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
- 1 instant cold compress
- 1 breathing barrier (with 1-way valve)
- 1 blanket (space blanket)
- 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approx 1 gram), 5 antiseptic wipe packets
- 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
- 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
- 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes), 2 triangular bandages
- 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
Duct tape
This tape can temporarily seal up any cracks and can even fix broken windows. This duct tape can also remove hand warts. Wrap the tape around the wart for a few days and then take it off, and then the wart will be gone within a week.
Transistor radio
There are so many media options available while there is power, but when it is off, a simple battery-operated radio will be your salvation. Having this radio will keep you up-to-date on emergency-related progress and can even prevent you from going stir-crazy.
Matchbox
How else could you light the candles sterno or candles? Every house will have matches, but odds are there are some houses in this world without matches or lighter. You can buy some white-tip waterproof matches so that you can feel like Rambo.
Sterno
If you consist of soup or any other foods that want to be heated and your electric stove has been rendered useless, then this fire-in-a-can is your answer. It is an alcohol-based cooking fuel that is mostly used at BBQs, buffets, and by camping enthusiasts. This system burns for around two hours and can be reused.
Unscented candles
Scented candles are good when you need your place to smell like a mixture of vanilla and lavender with a hint of aloe. However, unless you want your home to smell like a Yankee Candle warehouse on fire, get a bunch of the non-smelly ones. These are generally cheaper too.
Batteries
Stockpile these items as you can even earn goodwill with neighbors if they run out of one and you have an endless supply. Go around to all the electronics you won’t be using during a power outage and stockpile them. You can always replace those once the power’s restored.
Flashlights
Though you may have plenty of these scattered around the house, you may not be able to find them when you need them. One of the most important things during an emergency is to stay injury-free and healthy, and that won’t happen if you are scurrying around in the dark and if you slip at any place. You might want to buy a headlamp as well, which allows you to rummage around hands-free. Perhaps to locate all the flashlights.
Baby Wipes and Hand Sanitizer
To conserve the water stock up on baby wipes and hand sanitizer, which are surprisingly refreshing for the adults too.
Medication
If you are under any prescription medication, then make sure that you have an adequate supply on hand at the first sign of worst weather conditions. If you are running low on anything that either keeps you alive or helps you manage a condition, it is compulsory to contact your pharmacy benefits management company to see if they can expedite the shipment.
You don’t want to realize a day into an emergency that you are dangerously low on insulin, only have one blood pressure pill remaining, or never got around to picking up the inhaler.
Small Water Purification System
Let us just think you have already stocked as much water as you can fill in the bottles. But when you face a dangerous natural disaster, then you can use a bit more water than you think you use and the water you store runs out fast. So, store as much as possible.
Even for most emergencies, your drinking water can be stored for a few hours or days as it absorbs chemicals if it is stored for many days. So, if you are worried about infrastructure damage, where freshwater can be out for weeks, then purchase a water purification filtering system or tablets at a camping store or online. Also, be prepared to boil your water before drinking.
Non-Perishable Foods
Food is one of the very important things you need to plan before. It is always best to have items like canned soup, canned tuna, salmon, crackers, protein/breakfast bars, etc. If you wish to keep things more natural, cherries, oranges, bananas, and apples can last up to a week. If you have a cool, dry place then include some potatoes and carrots.
If you need more of a variety of flavors, do what the military does and stock up on MREs (“Meals, Ready-to-Eat”). This meal ready-to-eat can have a 10-year shelf life if the packaging isn’t compromised and if it is stored at the right temperature.
And often check on your supply every once in a while. If the packaging is bloated then it has gone bad, so toss it.
Conclusion
In times of uncertainty, a well-thought-out plan and the right resources can make all the difference, turning a potential crisis into a manageable situation. By taking proactive steps and staying prepared, individuals can face extended power outages with confidence, safeguarding their health, comfort, and overall well-being.
