How to Prepare For a Power Outage at Home
No homeowner wants to believe that he or she could lose power during a serious natural disaster, but the reality is that homeowners in California are especially prone to power outages. They occur not just when storms take out power lines, but also when PG&E is forced to implement planned outages during wildfire season. That’s why it’s so important for California homeowners to know how to prepare.
Install a Backup Power System
By far the best way to prepare for power outages is to install a backup power system. A few batteries and a small array of solar panels are enough to provide families with basic amenities like light and refrigeration in the event of a power failure, and a full grid-tied solar system can run an entire home. Sizing a solar system requires a good deal of specialized expertise, so it’s best for homeowners to consult a professional in the field before deciding what kind of equipment and battery banks they want to install.
What’s great about installing a grid-tied solar system as a backup for power outages is that when the power is turned on, homeowners can still use the system and even sell excess power back to PG&E. This helps to recoup the cost of installation and maintenance. Plus, there’s no need to worry about what to do if the home loses power since it won’t.
Ensure the Family’s Safety
Power outages can create unsafe conditions if homeowners and their families aren’t prepared. If the home doesn’t have a backup system for energy storage, everything that requires power will stop working. This includes power-dependent medical devices, refrigerators, lights, and more.
If anyone in the household requires power-dependent medical equipment, having a source of backup power is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity. Those who choose to use generators to power their essential equipment should take precautions when running them and should only use them outdoors and away from windows to avoid introducing air contaminants.
Families that have no backup power source at all should disconnect all appliances and electronics from the grid to avoid electrical surges and should come up with an alternative plan for refrigerating essential medications. This could include buying ice and a cooler before a planned power outage or having a safe location nearby to store it that has a source of backup power. Residents can also consult their doctors in advance to find out how long their medications remain viable when stored at higher temperatures.
It’s also important to check on neighbors before, during, and after power outages. Not everyone has the resources or physical capabilities to prepare adequately for a power outage. Elderly and disabled neighbors may need some extra help, so able-bodied homeowners should check on them and help them stock up and figure out a plan for if the power outage lasts longer than expected.
Take Inventory Now
Don’t wait until a power disruption is imminent to check on the family’s supplies. Take a full inventory of the items required to survive that rely on electricity and make sure they can find a way to power them or avoid using them safely. Find out whether the home phone will work without electricity, and make sure to keep cell phones and other battery-powered electronics charged. Renew supplies like flashlights, nonperishable foods, and water frequently. Taking inventory now will help homeowners understand the possible consequences of a prolonged power outage.
Prepare for Food Spoilage
Most residential refrigerators and freezers run on electricity, so when the power goes out, it can lead to food spoilage. Prepare to keep the doors closed to these appliances for the duration of a short power outage to keep the food inside as cold as possible, and buy a thermometer for use in the fridge and freezer so it will be easier to check the temperature after the power is restored. If the temperature is above 40 degrees, throw out the food. It’s not worth risking food poisoning.
Only Use Camp Stoves Outside
Plenty of California families have camping equipment on-hand, which can make it easier to cook food during a power outage. It’s important to follow the safety information on the equipment’s labels, though. Using camp stoves, generators, and charcoal grills outside or within 20 feet of a window can create an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
While on the subject of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, it’s also worth noting that gas kitchen stoves and ovens should never be used for home heating. They are not designed with this purpose in mind, and prolonged use can lead to a dangerous buildup of CO. All homeowners should have carbon monoxide detectors installed in their homes already, but those who don’t should invest in one now before a power outage occurs.
Prepare for the Worst
Most power outages are relatively short, but it’s best to prepare for the worst. Make sure the family can weather more than a few hours without power and have a backup plan in place if the household doesn’t have a backup generator or solar system. Find out about local emergency shelters and take advantage of them if the weather gets too hot or too cold. If the power outage has occurred due to a serious natural disaster like a nearby wildfire, it may be necessary to evacuate the family. All the adults in the household should familiarize themselves not just with local community shelters, but also with evacuation routes in the case of a serious fire or another natural disaster.
Homeowners who want to do everything they can to prepare their families for a long-term power outage should seriously consider investing in a grid-tied solar system. It’s the only way to ensure safe, long-term access to all the power required to run essential appliances and electronics. Those who don’t have it in the budget to invest in full-scale systems can still purchase smaller battery backups and other devices designed to help them weather the outage and take the other steps described above to protect their families, properties, and communities from the worst impact of inclement weather.