One day you wake up, thinking about your preparations for work or your plans for staying at home. However, the fun is cut short because of an unexpected power outage. Now you’re thinking, “How long would this last?” or “How can I check and see if everyone is safe?”
You may even be asking, “How can I tune in to the news to stay updated about the whole situation?” These are just some of the concerns that make this kind of situation so intense and, at the same time, challenging.
If you’re not well-prepared to deal with such an emergency, then you’ll be stumbling in the dark, literally and figuratively. To prevent matters from getting worse, consider these few preparedness tips and how to deal with them in case the power is interrupted for more than a few hours.
Back Your Files Up
If you have an office, whether it’s at home or in a building, you would need to back up important data stored on your computers. Having server backup application or software on hand is valuable so that you won’t lose your work if ever something happens to your data when the power goes out.
Cloud storage is also a good idea as you can access your files even when you’re using other gadgets as long as you have the same account for all your devices.
Prepare Secondary Power Sources
When the electricity fails, it’s either due to a natural disaster or human-made causes. Your primary source of energy is your connection to the power company, and when there’s an outage, they won’t be able to supply unless everything is fixed.
During these times, you would need to have a secondary power supply such as solar panels that can harness energy from the sun and store it until you need it. Your gadgets are important for you to stay updated, so items such as power banks are useful for extra charging power in case their battery level goes down to zero.
Check Your Devices
Many electronics such as personal computers are always plugged in to the wall and when the power suddenly fails, so will these devices. It’s important that you check them for any signs of short-circuiting. A sudden loss of power can contribute to the deterioration of your electronics’ connection to the outlet and may cause further damage.
Emergency Numbers
Even if you have every preparation down, you still need to be aware of what’s happening as various things can happen when the power is out. In case of emergency, know who to contact for help. Have a list of them posted around the house and office and even keep a digital copy of it on your phone.
Crime doesn’t wait, and sometimes, people take advantage of outages since security systems can be affected. Be on the lookout for any suspicious activities and be ready to call 911 or the police station.
Power outages can span from a few hours to months at a time. Depending on the reason, it may take quite some time to fix. While we can’t completely eliminate this kind of problem from happening, it’s only natural that we prepare for any unexpected outages, may it be in the water or power supply.
Most importantly, try to remain calm and level-headed, so your judgment won’t be clouded by fear during these situations.