City wide power outages don’t happen often, but it’s important to be prepared. Lightning strikes, thunderstorms and car accidents can cause outages. Here’s how to be prepared:
Have an Emergency Plan for Power Outages
All Nevada residents should have an emergency plan to deal with power outages. A home should have items such as flashlights, lanterns, battery operated lights or solar lights. Each of these items will provide an immediate lighting solution if the power goes out during the night.
Keep a 3-day supply of food and water in case the power goes out and isn’t restored right away. Also keep handy a battery-operated radio, extra batteries and power packs or wireless chargers for your phone.
Backup Generators
Backup generators are useful during a power outage. This alternative power source can kick in when the power goes off or you can turn it on when your power is down. You can have a permanent generator system installed in your home or simply keep a portable generator handy . A good backup generator will provide you with extra energy to perform basic functions around your home. Just make sure that the gasoline you use for the generator is stored away and handled with care.
Protect your Computer Equipment
Use surge protectors to protect your computers, TVs and gaming consoles. You can also utilize a battery backup system called a UPS. A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) will save your data and to protect your vulnerable parts of your home’s computer network.
Keep your Refrigerator Full
When you keep your refrigerator closed during a power outage it will help to preserve your perishable food items. A full fridge will hold it’s temperature for about 4 hours if the door is kept closed. Food items will stay frozen in a full freezer for up to 2 days. If you have room in your freezer, keep a few bottles of water frozen. They will help keep the freezer colder longer while the power is out. These tips will help if the power is out, but they’re also a good habit that can help lower your electric bill.
Prepare your pantry too with shelf stable foods and canned goods.
Medical Emergency Equipment
If you have emergency medical equipment in your home, make sure you have a backup power supply to run it. Some medical emergency devices have built in batteries that will power a unit in the event of a power outage. However, many rely on an outside power source to keep their equipment functional. If you have someone in the home that requires medical emergency equipment, you should have a backup power supply prepared for them in advance. A Las Vegas electrician can help people out in the Nevada area to keep emergency medical equipment operational.
If you have people in your home that need power for life support, then make it a point to inform your power company so they can put you on a priority list. Your local fire department can also help you if power is out too long, or go to a local hospital for assistance.
Prepare your Vehicle for Traveling
When a power outage happens, it won’t affect your vehicle. However, you should make sure that you can access the roads and that they are safe before heading out. Be sure the car is gassed up in case you need to leave your home due to a safety issue.
If you don’t already have one, buy a car charger for your phone. Consider a power inverter as well, which connects to your car’s battery or cigarette lighter to power standard 120 volt household plugs.
Have A Plan
The main thing to remember is that you should have a plan in place in case your electricity goes out. You never know when your neighborhood or city may have a power outage, or for how long you’ll be without electricity, so make sure to have all of your basic survival needs covered.
If you are in Las Vegas or Clark County NV you can see up to date electrical outage information here through NVEnergy.
