With winter weather upon us, how prepared are you for unplanned power outages? Massachusetts winters can be frigid, with lots of wind, snow, and ice contributing to unexpected electricity loss. Downed power lines, failed equipment, and car accidents can all lead to unexpected power loss.
If you have found yourself unexpectedly without power, use this easy-to-understand guide to stay safe while the power is out. Even without electricity, the risk of an electrical accident is still present. Once your power is restored, there are things you can do to plan and prepare for the next time you face this situation. Follow along to learn what to do if your lights go out to stay safe and what you can do to plan for the future.
Tips for Staying Safe During a Power Outage
Immediate Safety Tips: During an unplanned power outage, several things should be done immediately to protect yourself and your home from extreme hazards.
1. Call 911 if you have a downed power line on your property and stay away from it or anything that it may be touching.
2. Turn off and unplug electrical devices like TVs and computers that may be damaged by power surges when the power is returned. Another great way to avoid this issue and protect your devices is to have a professional electrician install a whole-house surge suppressor.
3. Use flashlights instead of candles to reduce the risk of fires.
Maintaining a Safe Temperature: During winter and summer, maintaining a safe temperature when the power is out can be challenging. Here are several ways to try and stay comfortable when experiencing power loss.
1. Keep all doors and windows shut. This will help retain heat during winter and eliminate cool air loss during the summer. Use blankets or towels to seal any leaking door or window seals. In the summer, close all blinds to avoid heat absorption from the sun.
2. In the winter, gather everyone into one insulated room and get as many blankets and warm clothing items as necessary.
3. Avoid using heating methods in the home, such as gas ovens, stoves, and outdoor grills. They can cause carbon monoxide to build up, creating a deadly situation.
Food and Water Safety Tips: One of the many inconveniences of unexpected electrical loss is not knowing how long it will take to be restored. Power outages can range from minutes to days. Use the following food and water safety tips to stay safe for as long as possible.
1. Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed for as long as possible. If left unopened, the refrigerator should maintain its temperature for approximately four hours. Group all your frozen items together in the freezer.
2. Having a storage supply of fresh water should not be overlooked. During a power outage, you may not be able to get fresh drinking water from your faucets.
Electrical Hazards: The risk of electrical shock can be increased during a power outage. Below, you will find tips on specific electrical hazards to avoid during a power outage.
1. There are severe risks associated with using a portable generator incorrectly. Never use a portable generator indoors or near windows to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. If used in wet conditions or proper grounding is not achieved, electrocution can occur.
2. Avoid entering into any flooded areas where downed power lines may not be visible to avoid the risk of electrocution.
Preparing for the Future
Make a Plan: Pre-planning before an electrical outage occurs will greatly increase your ability to stay safe and healthy during an emergency.
– Have a way to communicate with your family members, either by cell phone or two-way radio.
– Know where your local safety shelters are located if you are unable to stay safe at home.
– Inventory the items in your home that require electricity and use the list during power outages to disconnect any at-risk devices.
– Have a way to power medical devices and a way to keep medications cool.
Create an Emergency Kit:
– Have flashlights for everyone in the house, and make sure to have extra batteries. Charged power banks may also be utilized to keep devices charged.
– When the power is out, water is at risk for contamination. Keep adequate supplies of drinking water.
– After four hours of no power, the refrigerator food can start to spoil. Keep a thermometer and guidelines on food temperature to make sure you don’t ingest any spoiled food. You should discard anything you are unsure of.
– Keep a storage supply of non-perishable foods.
– Have an emergency radio that runs off of batteries that you can receive emergency alerts on.
Investing in Backup Power
The Benefits of a Home Generator: If you do not want to worry about going without power again, a home generator offers the ability to have uninterrupted power during outages. Let’s look at several of the many benefits provided by a home generator:
– Investing in a Southborough generator installation company offers homeowners peace of mind and ensures continuous power during outages, keeping essential systems like heating, refrigeration, and medical devices running smoothly, especially during severe weather.
– Not only are there health and safety risks associated with both extreme heat and cold exposure, but it can also be very uncomfortable. Keeping your heating and cooling systems running during these extreme conditions is a huge benefit.
– The financial benefits of installing a home generator are wide-ranging. Home generators not only increase the value of your home, but they can also save money from flooding sump pumps and spoiled food.
Staying Safe Now and Being Prepared For Next Time
Power outages can be difficult and sometimes dangerous, especially during Massachusetts’s harsh winter months and even the summer thunderstorms. By following the above safety tips immediately after an outage and taking proactive measures to prepare, you can protect your household from unnecessary risks. From staying warm and keeping food safe to managing electrical hazards, these tips provide important guidance for staying safe in a crisis. Preparing ahead with a well-stocked emergency kit, a communication plan, and, if possible, a backup power source can keep you and your loved ones safe. A home generator ensures peace of mind and uninterrupted access to important home systems during electrical outages. Investing in a home generator now and making a plan today will help you stay safe, comfortable, and ready for any future power disruptions.
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