How To Avoid Grave Consequences When The Power Goes Out

Blackouts can be one of the most challenging emergencies.

You don’t realize how reliant you are on electricity until it’s gone.

Here’s how to avoid grave consequences when the power goes out.

Blackouts can be scary for a host of reasons.

It’s difficult to adjust to a loss of power when it’s become so customary.

It’s like remembering how to do research before the internet existed.

One of the main issues that blackouts create is uncertainty.

It’s difficult to plan what to do if you have no idea how long it will last.

The power could go out for a few minutes, a couple of hours, or it could be out for days or weeks during a devastating natural disaster.

People will start to panic and take desperate measures that could result in violence.

Here are some tips for avoiding a catastrophe during a blackout.

You’re going to need alternative sources for power.

The most obvious and effective are batteries in order to power essential items such as flashlights in order to operate in the dark.

Have a healthy supply of batteries and flashlights so you won’t have to fumble around in the dark.

Lanterns and unscented candles are also good alternatives to make sure your home stays illuminated at night.

Flashlights and lanterns might also be useful during the day if windows are minimal, or you need to close blinds or curtains for security reasons.

A generator is a good way to maintain essential electronics if need be.

You can power your refrigerator so you don’t lose food supplies, or you could give your computer juice so you can do essential work.

A generator will need a solid supply of gasoline, so make sure to have it stored properly, and use the generator sparingly because you want your gas supply to last as long as possible.

Solar power as an alternate source can serve as a backstop when the power goes out, and it can also reduce your utility bill.

Solar batteries store the energy captured by solar panels.

Also, wireless chargers are a great way to ensure that your cell phone or tablet stays functional, so it’s easier to stay in contact with the outside world.

Finally, self-defense has to go hand in hand with having alternative power sources.

As mentioned earlier, panic and desperation are commonplace during power outages, especially when they drag out for an extended amount of time.

For this reason, you need to have heightened awareness about looters and thieves.

This is another reason why it’s probably wise to use your generator sparingly.

If too many people know you have it, you’ll become a target, which is never good when resources are limited.

Make sure you’re able to protect yourself and try to avoid coming into contact with strangers, or people you don’t know very well.

If you have several alternative power sources and a plan to protect them from looters, you will be able to withstand blackouts that drag on for days.