Weather, accidents and storms can disable electricity, sometimes the electricity will flash for a moment and then come back.

Severe damage to power lines and the power grid can cause blackouts for days or even weeks.

Short power outage:

Don’t panic! Check if your neighbors still have electricity.

If so, the problem may be inside your home.

Check main fuses or circuit breakers to see if they have blown or tripped.

Replacing the fuse or resetting the circuit breaker can restore power.

If this is not the problem, contact an electrician.

Unplug appliances that contain electronic components, such as microwaves, televisions, and computers.

This will help eliminate damage to your devices caused by power surges when power is restored.

Wait a few minutes before turning on these devices when power is restored.

This will reduce the demand on the electrical system of the electricity supplier.

Long term power outages:

If you are using a backup generator, make sure it is installed and wired correctly.

If installed improperly, the generator can create hazardous conditions for the technicians who will be working to restore power.

Your generator may be damaged when power is restored if a two-way disconnect switch is not used and installed properly.

Of course, it is also important to ensure that a fresh supply of fuel is available to operate the generator and that it is properly stored.

To help manage the crisis, keep an adequate supply of the following items at all times.

It should be kept in a cool dry place and all family members should know where to find it.

• flares
• Battery operated radio
• candles
• Extra batteries for flashlights and radio
• Basic first aid supplies
• Small amount of drinking water and food
• Baby supplies if there is a baby in the house

Periodically check the basement for flooding/water. You can use a portable gas pump to pump out the basement or crawlspace when the power to the electric sump pump is out.

Never go into a flooded basement unless sump pumps, freezers, etc.

Never go near downed power lines; Let qualified people from your electricity supplier handle these situations.

Summer power outages:

Keep freezers and refrigerators closed to keep food fresh. Frozen foods are generally safe to eat if they still have ice crystals in them.

Wrap blankets around appliances to provide additional insulation.

Bottled water, canned soft drinks, and juices eliminate reliance on the refrigerator if kept in a cool place.

Air conditioners must be turned off during power outages.

Do not turn it back on for several minutes after power is restored.

Wear comfortable clothes and use natural ventilation to keep your home cool.

You must inform your electricity provider if you are using survival equipment in your home. .

Winter power outages:

Move to a single room, preferably one with few windows. Ideally, this room should be located on the south side of the house in order to achieve maximum heat during the day.

The room should be isolated from the rest of the house and may be equipped with a fireplace, wood stove, or other alternative heat source.

If another heat source is used, be sure to follow the operating instructions. For example, if you are using a kerosene heater, proper ventilation is a must.

All combustible materials must be stored outside the home for safety reasons.

Wood stoves and fireplaces must be properly maintained throughout the year to avoid problems when they are needed in an emergency.

One of the main concerns in the winter is to prevent water pipes from freezing. A small stream of water can be left to avoid this.

This is not a practical solution when the water comes from a well. Insulating water pipes is a permanent method.

See the Extended Outages and Home Closings section to learn how to clean your home’s water lines.

In most rural areas, electricity is needed to pump water into the home.

Since it is impossible to pump out water during a power outage, keep adequate drinking water available at all times.

As in the summer, people with health problems should be taken to a health complex, community organization, or other place where their needs can be met.

Extended power outage/house closure:

Unplug everything in your home. Turn off circuit breakers or remove fuses. If there is an extended power outage, you may want to leave the lighting circuit on until you know when the power will return.

Empty all food from freezers and refrigerators and leave the doors open.

Food can be brought to neighbors who have electricity or in a food locker. Dry ice may also be used for a short time.

The easiest solution might be to take the food out if the temperature is cool enough.

If your home comes with an electric heat pump, care must be taken when starting the unit after a long break.

It takes some time for the lubricant in the radiator to heat up.

This is about an hour and a half per ton of cooling capacity. This can vary from brand to brand and contacting your distributor can avoid problems.

During the compressor preheating period, you must use auxiliary heaters or heat pump emergency heaters to heat the house.

Leave the blinds closed except for south-facing windows in the winter when the sun is shining.

This will provide passive solar heat during the day. The curtains should always be closed at night.

What to do When a power outage Happen