Power outages caused by severe weather in the United States have doubled over the last 20 years. Lost electricity in your home can be an annoyance and leave you feeling a bit distressed.
If your power went out, it’s perfectly normal to feel a little bit confused and disoriented. Don’t worry, there are a few steps you should take and a few things you should do while you wait for your power to come back.
Here’s our guide on what to do during a power outage.
Carefully Light Some Candles
The first thing you should do is light some candles to get some light in your house. Candles are, of course, a fire hazard, so make sure not to place them too close to any flammable items like bedding or curtains.
Candles are a great way to light your home temporarily while the power is down. You can read, do work, or just chill out by candlelight. If you’re wondering how to make the most of a power outage, then you can’t beat a candle and a good book.
Unplug Your Electronics
After you’ve got some light in your house, the next thing you should do is practice some basic power outage safety.
Go around your house and unplug all appliances, large and small. You want to do this because when the power comes back, your appliances can be damaged by any potential power surge that happens.
Some great power outage supplies like a surge protector can help to keep your appliances safe from a power surge. Just make sure to plug them into it after the power goes out in your house.
If You Have One, Fire up the Generator
Generators are a very handy thing to have for your home. If you’ve got one, you should fire it up in the event of a power outage so that you can continue to power your house, albeit at a slightly reduced capacity.
One important thing to remember is that you should never, under any circumstances, use your backup generator indoors. Generators produce carbon monoxide, which is colorless, odorless, and potentially deadly. Never use your generator in a confined space.
Also, make sure your generator is well-maintained. See here for generator maintenance repair.
Find a Safe Spot to Ride it Out
Once you’ve got some light, unplugged your appliances, and restored some power to your essential systems with a backup generator, then there’s really nothing left to do but hunker down until the power comes back on.
Most power outages don’t last very long, so you just need to find a safe and cozy spot to ride the outage out. Take the time to have a chat with your loved ones or read a good book.
Power Went Out? Now You Know What to Do
If your power went out, it can be annoying and scary, but if you follow the steps in this guide, you’ll be absolutely fine. Just remember to always be conscious of safety when lighting candles or using a backup generator.
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