Power outages happen in homes and communities across the United States yearly. Some outages are brief, others last for a few hours and in rare occasions, a power outage can last for several days or weeks. We got a taste of what panic might look like during the pandemic resulting in a shortage of toilet paper, water bottles, and paper towels to name a few, in stores across the country. The same behavior and worse is likely if we were hit by a long-term power outage. As luxury home builders, we feel the responsibility to prepare our homeowners for the possibility of a power outage or any other disaster we may face in the future. Most of our everyday appliances and electronics are powered by electricity and we would all feel the detrimental effects if those were cut off. Do you know where your electrical panel is located? Have your electrician show you and let you know what a tripped breaker looks like, and how to switch it back on. Please follow our guide below to make sure you and your loved ones are prepared in case of a power outage.

 

Everything is easier when you are prepared and have a plan, take a moment to think of what a power outage might look like for you in your home. Don’t know where to begin? Start with a waterproof container and make room for the following items that we see as a necessity for your emergency kit:

 

Once you have assembled your kit make sure you store it in a place that is easy to get to and let your family members know where it is.

 

 

Now that you are prepared and have a plan there is no need to panic. Start by confirming that your power is out, look outside to see if your neighbors have power, if they do it may just be an issue with your electrical panel. If you open it up and notice one or more switches are turned off, you may have a tripped breaker and can restore power by flipping the switch. If that is not the issue, you can determine that you are experiencing an outage and call your utility company to report the outage. They may already know of the problem and give you information on what to expect. If it sounds like it may take a while you can start by unplugging your appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges when the power is restored. If an hour has gone by, we suggest you move any power-dependent medical devices or medicine to your safe temperature-controlled container. Keep your freezer and refrigerator closed to maintain cool temperatures for as long as possible. When you have checked off your list, make sure to turn on your radio and phone to stay connected and up to date on the latest news and updates regarding your power outage. This will create peace of mind and allow you to make educated choices on how to use your power, food, and water supply.

 

Lastly, be a good neighbor; as you have prepared for this event, your neighbor may be frantically trying to figure out what to do. We urge you to be a good neighbor and offer your assistance and knowledge, you never know when you may need theirs.