Power Outages. A what-to-do guide. 

Part 1: Preparing Your Home for Power Outages

 Power outages are inevitable events. They may be caused by freezing rain, sleet storms, and high winds which damage power lines. Cold snaps or heat waves can also lead to electric system overload. You may experience inconveniences such as no lighting, heat or air conditioner, hot water, or even running water. There are also potential risks and dangers in severe situations. It is important to recognize the risk and be prepared for such situations. 

This is a what-to-do guide brought to you by Powerness. This detailed guide consists of 3 parts: 

Part 1: Preparing Your Home for Power Outage

Part 2: What to Do During a Power Outage 

Part 3：Actions after Power Returns 

Part 1: Preparing Your Home for Power Outage

Everyone wants to protect their homes and family from power outages. Preparing in advance could significantly reduce the impact of those inconveniences caused by power outages. Get to know the specific risk of your community and region to better prepare. Check out your local government website for that information. 

Here is a list to consider when preparing your home. 

1. Have a power generator ready. Calculate the emergency essential appliances' power usage, and pick a generator that could supply your needs during a power outage. Here is a guide to help you with the calculation. Make sure you have enough gas or propane to run the generator and use it properly according to the manufacturer's instructions. You might want to go with a solar generator which is safer to use indoor and at night. 

2. Clean your wood-burning fireplace if you have one. Clean it every fall to avoid creosote build-up with could cause a chimney fire. The wood-burning fireplace could warm your family and house during a power outage without consuming your precious electricity backup. 

3. Have a family emergency plan. Discuss and prepare with your family and friends. Store important family documents such as birth certificates, insurance policies, passports, wills, etc in a waterproof container. Identify an out-of-town contact person to act as a central point of contact during an emergency. Update the plan every year and inform family members. 

4. Basic emergency kit. 

- Enough water. At least 2L of water per day per person. Include bottled water in case of an evacuation order. 

- Canned food (and a manual can opener), energy bars, and dried foods. Basically, foods won’t boil. (Remember to replace the food and water once a year). 

- Flash-light.(Extra batteries if it is battery-powered.)

- Radio. (Extra batteries if it is battery-powered.) 

- Extra keys to your car and house.

- If you have infants or people with special needs, make sure they have enough supplies (baby formula, diapers) and emergency medicine. 

- Prepackaged emergency kit. 

5. More to consider. 

- Candles and matches or lighter (do not leave candles unattended. Place candles in sturdy containers and put them out before going to sleep).

- A change of clothing and footwear for each household member.

- Sleeping bags or warm blankets. 

- A whistle. 

- Sanitation needs. (Toilet papers, toothpaste, garbage bags, and other personal care supplies.)

- Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, fasteners, safety gloves).

- Two extra liters of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning. 

- Keep a small bag of ice cubes in the fridge. When the power restores, check to see if the ice cube has melted. If it is, a big chance that the food has spoiled.

Now you are prepared for a power outage. See Part 2 to learn about what to do during a power outage.