While power outages are often unexpected and inconvenient for most, they can also be hazardous for homeowners and other residents if proper precautions are not taken. Whether you live in an area with frequent outages or have never experienced an outage in your home, it is always worth being prepared. As a team of experienced commercial and residential electrical contractors, the team at BNR Electric knows how devastating prolonged outages can be for certain homes and families. That is why we have compiled a guide on power outage safety and preparation to help keep your home and loved ones safe in the event of long outages.
Read our home electrical safety checklist.
3 IMPORTANT STEPS TO PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES
To ensure that your home and your family are properly prepared for a power outage, it is important to perform the following steps:
1. CREATE A POWER OUTAGE PLAN
Does every member of your household know what to do in the event of a power outage? If the answer is no, you will need to take some time to meet with everyone and create an emergency plan. Be sure to write your plan down and post it somewhere accessible in your home for everyone to reference. This location should also be easy to locate in minimal lighting conditions. This plan should cover:
- The location of emergency light sources and emergency supplies
- The age of any dependents within the home and potential medical concerns
- The type of neighbourhood your home is in
- Heating methods to stay warm in cold weather
- Outage plans for condo buildings and other strata properties
2. BUILD A POWER OUTAGE EMERGENCY KIT
A proper emergency kit can be invaluable for power outages. BC Hydro recommends that an emergency kit includes the following items for a prolonged power outage:
- Flashlights and/or lanterns
- Extra batteries for your devices
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable food
- First-aid supplies
- A battery-powered radio
- Cell phone battery pack
- Blankets
- Cards, board games, or books
Be sure to periodically inspect the contents of your emergency kit to ensure that they are in good working order and replace any defective or expired items as necessary.
3. PREPARE YOUR HOME
Once the residents of your home are prepared, you will need to prepare the home itself. Install quality surge protectors in key areas of your home as this will help protect your main devices from a power overload. Next, place flashlights in accessible locations around the home to ensure they are easy to find in the dark. If a power outage occurs, keep your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep food cold. If it is cold outside, ensure that all windows are closed to keep your home as warm as possible.
To learn more about power outage safety or to inquire about our electrical services, get in touch with the team at BNR Electric. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our services.