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Blackouts can be scary. They are sometimes sudden, and catch you unaware, walking down the stairs, in the middle of cooking - and where are the kids? Here is a list of things to include in a black out/power outage kit, so you can breathe a little easier, knowing you’re prepared the next time those lights flicker off.
- Have a flashlight. Make sure it’s handy. I suggest keeping one readily accessible on every floor, if your home has multiple levels, as you never know where you’ll be when the power goes out.
- Candles. This is a fun way to light an entire area. The whole family could be huddled around the candles, telling stories, laughing, giggling, eating snacks. If you’re a young couple with no children, well, a simple fact is there is always a spike in the number of babies born 9 months after a black out. Interesting, huh? Those candles might come in handy for more than one reason.
- Have blankets, warm sweaters, to bundle up in in the winter time. If you have a fireplace, possibly keep all of the necessities for a roaring fire near the fireplace, so it’s ready to go. This tip is only really necessary if you live in a cold area, or it’s winter, but the power going out does affect your heat and you want to stay cozy warm.
- Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors firmly closed. You don’t want to lose any of the coldness in there, making it more likely for the food in there to spoil.
- Back up your computer regularly. You don’t want to lose anything in the unexpected event of a power outage.
- Turn off all of the appliances that were on when the black out occurred. If it turns back on suddenly, you don’t want to have to run around in a panic controlling a house that is going off without you.
- Have a portable radio, so that you don’t have to plug it in to hear news. Keep fresh batteries around for the flashlight and the radio.
- Have snacks that will not spoil, and can be accessed in the event of no power.
- Last, but not least, have a full first-aid kit ready just in case. Better safe than sorry!
In these winter months with the winds blowing, now is the best time to get blackout ready for you and your family’s peace of mind.
