Avoid These 8 Mistakes When Your Power Goes Out

Oct 16, 2018 by apost team

There are many reasons why your power may go out. It could be a terrible storm, a downed power line, or a bad snowfall.

Since you never know how long your power will be out when it does happen, it is very important to know what to do to protect yourself during this time.

Check out these eight mistakes you need to avoid if you are in the middle of a power outage.

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One of the first things people reach for when the power goes out is the candles. Many people light as many as they can. However, their light source is minimal, and they can easily start a fire. This is especially true if you have children or pets at home.

If you have to light a candle, be sure to place it as securely as possible in a lantern. Better yet, flashlights and battery-powered lights are the best options.

You may not be thinking about unplugging anything when the power goes out. But it is important to do so. There is a chance that a power surge will cause major damage to household equipment. If you would rather keep them plugged in, there are a few things you can do to keep them from getting ruined.

A surge protector, installed in your electrical panel, will keep any major surges from occurring. If you don’t have one, even a power strip will help keep your wires from getting fried when the power comes back on.

It is extremely important to keep a close eye on your pipes when the season gets cold. There is a very strong possibility that if they become frozen during a power outage, they will burst from the pressure.

You may not have insulated pipes but you will still be able to protect them by wrapping them up during a power outage. Use old blankets, towels, or foam. You should also let the water trickle while the power is out, which helps keep the pipes from freezing.

Even if you are really hungry, keep your refrigerator closed the whole time the power is out. As soon as you open the door, all the cold air will come out, and the electricity won’t be kicking on to cool it back down. Your food will then be sitting in higher temperatures.

Leaving the doors shut will keep your food cold for at least four hours. If the electric company says that your power is going to be out for a long time, you can wrap blankets around the appliance for extra protection. While that sounds counter-productive, it works.

Yes, we advocate flashlights over candles. However, a flashlight that has not been touched for a bit may have a problem. Old batteries can lead acid, which can get into the flashlight parts and onto your hands when you try to change them.

Instead, take all of the batteries out when the flashlight isn’t in use. Or, switch to rechargeable LED flashlights. Just remember to keep them plugged in while the power is still on to get a full charge.

It sounds like a no-brainer, but many people don’t realize that there can be deadly consequences from touching a downed power line.

If you happen to see a downed power line on the ground, make sure that you stay as far away from it as possible, at least 30 feet. This is especially true if the ground around you is wet. Call the power company and report it as soon as possible.

If you are driving in a vehicle, stay inside unless you see a fire. If you do need to get out of the car, jump and land with both feet at once. Remember, if you touch your vehicle and ground at the same time near a downed power line, you run the risk of electrocution.

It’s easy to get bored during a power outage and grab your cell phone for entertainment. However, this will use up your battery fast. Since you generally don’t know how long the power will be out it is crucial to save battery power.

You can also put your cell phone on airplane mode, which will save the battery. Turn off any of the apps you may have up, and try to charge your phone in your vehicle if you can.

A blackout won’t affect your water supply, but you will only have hot water until your hot water tank runs out.

In a blackout, only flush the toilet when it is absolutely necessary to avoid a sewage blackout. You don’t want to shower, either.

Do you have any other tips to share about what to do during a blackout? Let us know in the comments and pass this helpful article along to friends and family.