Blackout Preparedness Program

How do You Prepare for Blackouts?

Unexpected blackouts often occur during storms and with no reason but a simple fluctuation. And yet, how many of us are prepared for this sudden loss of electricity? If you think having a stack of matches and candles are enough to tide you and your family over during a prolonged blackout, think again. You never know how long a blackout could last, especially during the winter season.

A comprehensive blackout emergency kit must consist of non-perishable food, gallons of clean water, and other supplies to last for at least 24 hours. In addition to your kit, you must observe some conservation techniques on electricity and fuel use.

3 Useful Tips on How to be ‘Prepared’ for Winter Blackouts:

1. To help power companies avoid imposing rolling blackouts, cut down the electricity use in your household as much as possible. Minimize the use of high-powered appliances like electric ovens and heaters except when absolutely necessary. Lower the thermostat and dress warmly. Try to upgrade your house to be as energy efficient as possible through insulation and draft sealing. Do not use any other forms of heating in your home such as kerosene or open wood fires, except in well ventilated fireplaces.
2. Keep your car tank full of gas, mobile phone battery fully charged and freezer full of ice. Both the refrigerator and the freezer will keep food and medicines cold during power outage that may last for several hours if opened only when needed for short times.
3. Store clean and thick blankets in vacuumed plastic bags. Make sure all winter clothes for the whole family are stored in pairs.

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