When the lights go out, it’s a scary moment for most. So what do you do when you have a power outage at home or work? How can you stay safe and avoid danger until the electricity comes back on? A power outage is an inconvenient event for most of us, but if you are at home alone or it happens after dark, it can be dangerous. Disruptions to your home’s electricity can occur for many reasons, from lightning striking a power line to maintenance issues with local service providers. We’ll explore some tips for keeping yourself safe during a power outage and how to handle these events best moving forward. Keeping the lights on is an essential part of modern society; read on to learn more about staying safe during a blackout.
Stay Safe After A Power Outage Notification
As we mentioned, a power outage is a dangerous event for most people. Stay safe during a blackout by following these tips:
- If you are indoors and the power goes out, turn off all appliances and computers to avoid an overload or fire.
- If you use medical equipment, such as a respirator or blood pressure monitor, contact your device manufacturer and seek medical advice for alternative options.
- If you are outdoors during a power outage and it is not safe to re-enter your home, find an alternative place to stay until the power comes back on.
- If you are in a building that catches fire during a blackout, get out as quickly and safely as possible.
- If you are in a car on a road during a blackout, remain in your vehicle with the seat belt on until the roads are clear again.
Have a Plan and Know Your Neighborhood
If a power outage occurs, it is important to have a plan. Before a power outage occurs, talk to your family or coworkers and decide who will stay at the house and who will go to a friend’s home. Make sure that everyone knows who is coming to stay, who will be going to a different location, and how everyone will communicate if cell towers are overloaded. Know where the nearest shelters are and plan how to get there if necessary. If you know the neighborhoods immediately surrounding your home, you’ll know what to expect during and after a power outage. If you’re in a large city, you may see an increase in crime during a blackout. If you’re in a smaller town, however, you may be more likely to see neighbors coming together for safety in numbers. Knowing how your neighborhood will react to a blackout will help you make informed decisions about your safety.
Turn on Battery-Powered Lights
Keeping the lights on is an essential part of modern society. If the power goes out, however, it is important to turn on battery-powered lights. This will help you to see what is going on and keep you safe in your home. It is also a good idea to keep a flashlight near the front door in case of a power outage. If there are children in the house, make sure that they know to stay away from loose wires or broken light fixtures. If you have candles in your home, be sure to keep them in a safe place. Be careful when handling them, and make sure to keep them away from children and pets. If the power goes out, use the candles sparingly and carefully. Avoid using candles with materials such as paper that may catch fire easily.
Lock Doors and Windows
A power outage can put your home at risk for burglary. Keep your doors and windows locked to avoid unwanted visitors entering your home. While you may not want to make enemies with your neighbors, it is important to protect yourself and your family during a power outage. If you see a suspicious person on your property, avoid confrontation and call the police. Be aware that people may be outside your house looking for a safe place to stay during a power outage. If you can, open your doors and let people inside who need a place to stay warm. If you have friends or family members staying with you during a power outage, make sure that everyone knows to lock their doors and windows. If you have children living in your home, make sure that they understand how to stay safe during a power outage.
Check Up on Neighbors
If you see neighbors outside during a power outage, stop and talk to them. Make sure that they are okay and offer them a place to stay if they need a place to warm up or charge their phone. Make sure that they know not to touch any downed power lines. If they are elderly or have small children, offer to take them to a nearby hotel or your home. If you have room in your home for other neighbors, take the time to check in on them and make sure that they are okay. While checking up on neighbors is important, know that you must be careful. Avoid walking on any slippery or unstable surfaces. Make sure that you are not near any downed power lines or outside water sources. If you see that a neighbor needs help or comfort, offer to get them to a safe place.
Don’t Use the Phone or Tablet
In an emergency, you may want to call loved ones, friends, or local authorities. Before you do, however, remember that phone lines and cell towers may be overloaded in an emergency. Even if you’re able to get through, you may encounter extremely long wait times or no connection at all. If you need to call for help, find a nearby police station or fire station and ask to use their phone. If you use your phone or tablet to look for information about the power outage, make sure that you do not accidentally download malware. Before you use your phone or tablet during an emergency, make sure that you have a virus protection application installed. This will help you to avoid downloading malicious software that may infect your devices.
Conclusion
A power outage is an inconvenient event for most of us, but if you are at home alone or it happens after dark, it can be dangerous. Disruptions to your home’s electricity can occur for many reasons, from lightning striking a power line to maintenance issues with local service providers. Stay safe during a blackout by following the tips mentioned above. Go through our website to learn more about home security.
