What to Do In a Blackout
Some areas get a lot of blackouts, especially in rural areas. Whether you get a lot or a few, being suddenly and unexpectedly without power is annoying, especially at night when you are depending on it for light and heat. It’s a good thing to be prepared for power loss because it can happen at any time, not just in a storm.
Here are some tips to help you cope with a blackout.
- Keep a torch in the same place all the time so you know where it is.
- Phone an electrician if yours is the only house blacked out.
- Have a supply of candles and matches, or some other means of lighting your night after the power goes out. Make sure everyone knows where they are.
- When using candles, make sure they are stable and out of reach of children. Don’t place them under overhead cupboards or near curtains.
- If it is really cold weather, layer up with clothes and add a coat or dressing gown over the top. You may also need a beanie and gloves, along with thick socks.
- If it’s night time, just go to bed for warmth.
- Close the doors and windows to keep the house warm.
- Have an uninterruptible power supply with battery backup for your computer, so you’ll have a chance to power down properly without losing any work. Unplug the computer and other sensitive electrical equipment.
